The rise of the machines is ubiquitous as you’re finding it in every sector. Of course, robots are making their biggest marks on the fast-food sector as automation is affecting everyone from cooks to cashiers.
But it seems that the experts believe robots will take over about half of our everyday workplace tasks within a decade.
Writing in “Future of Jobs 2018 Report,” the organizers of the World Economic Forum (WEF) forecast that approximately 75 million jobs will be lost worldwide by 2022, but 133 million new jobs will be created because of the machines.
They note:
“Despite bringing widespread disruption, the advent of machine, robots and algorithm could actually have a positive impact on human employment.”
What’s the solution? Establish social safety nets, encourage workers to gain new skills or amplify current ones, and enable remote employment.
The study may be one of doom and gloom, but if it makes sense for a company to adopt automation to enhance marginal productivity, then they will do it. On the other hand, if automation is too much of a hassle and won’t do much to increase productivity and revenues, then they will stick to human capital.
This is why we have ATMs, and not a plethora of tellers anymore, many of whom are transitioned to other parts of the business, new and old.
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