Workforce Automation — A good or bad idea?
The Holocene epoch has driven the world to a more technological approach than ever before and still continues to do so. Automation in this era has become the most desired body in the world of business. This has caused a shift in the requirement of labor as more companies have shifted their focus on digital skills. Automation and artificial intelligence are now replacing the human tasks which has given birth a great question:
“ Will automation replace the human workforce ?”
Types of Automation
Most advanced form of automation will help produce Self Driving Cars
Nearly 60% tasks will be automated by 2030
Is the world ready for an automated workforce ?
Automation is likely to overtake many tasks which are currently performed by the human workforce. This revolutionary change will take place through three stages of automation.
These are :
- Assisted Intelligence : Automating the simple and ordinary tasks by controlling the joint power of data science and big data to assist decision making. This is to allow humans to perform more complex tasks by reducing their burden. A great example of this is today’s GPS and monitoring systems in our cars which guide and help us to perform tasks in a simpler manner than before.
- Augmented Intelligence : Also addressed as Intelligence Amplification (IA), augmented intelligence is such automation which allows humans and machines to work and coordinate with each other. It enables humans to work better and smarter. It also helps to achieve greater business values. Emerging technology that enables car and ride sharing services such as Uber is one such example of this form of automation.
- Autonomous Intelligence : Automation which induces the intelligence that allows machines, bots and systems to act on their own, independent of human arbitration. It is also considered as the most advanced form of AI and it is this type of automation which has often been debated for its negative impact on the human workforce. The approaching future of robots and self driving cars are examples of autonomous intelligence which are likely to revolutionize the world of technology.
Impact of Automation on Future of Work
The impact of automation will be different in different countries depending on the rate of its adoption. Tasks such as data collection and processing will slip significantly into the hands of machines. Transition will take place in the employment and workforce scenario. According to a report nearly 60% of the tasks will be automated by 2030. This raises the question
Will there be a decline in employment ?
Even though a large percentage of work will be automated, tasks such as those performed by gardeners, plumbers etc. will likely witness less automation. Also, it is likely that people will perform new tasks. The labor workforce will slightly suffer a setback. However, it is estimated that the demand for skilled labor will increase which means that the skills will be enhanced and advanced for a better future. The future of work will be highly influenced by AI as fundamental changes will take place in the nature of work.
Are you ready for an Automated Workforce ?
The big question that arises before us is whether we are ready for an automated workforce or not. Automation will certainly give way to development on the global level to a large extent.
It is estimated that by 2030 around 20 million to 50 million jobs could be created globally through this trend. Larger investments will take place will give rise to labor demand and larger investments in infrastructure will also help overcome housing shortages.
To put in a nutshell, automation is likely to have more positive effects than adverse effects and so far the big economists and industrialists have concluded that it is the road to a better, smarter and advanced world and lifestyle.
