50 years ago a life where robots worked for humans was the thing of science fiction films. Yet we are now in an era of self driving cars and smart homes. People can now speak to each other using a small electronic device. They read from tablet computers. A coffee machine can make them a barista-quality coffee without the need to leave home. Whilst these technological advancements are hugely convenient, they will come at a cost: a reduced number jobs. Right now, technology is producing and increased number of jobs as humans scramble to produce the tiny components to control the electronic brains, motors and nerves that will eventually create robots. But as the production and design process becomes more automated, the need for human interaction will reduce by an astonishing level.
The concept of job losses on a large scale hit me first when I stayed at a hotel in 2015 near the Kent coastline. My wife decided to accompany me on a theatre show I was performing at (I’m a singer in a Commitments and Blues Brothers show). Having already booked our room we arrived and I presented my debit card to the one person on the reception desk. She checked the number, gave us our room key and off we went to our room. On arrival to the room we noticed that one of the pillows was missing, so rang down to reception and the same person answered. 20 minutes later she bought up the missing pillow. We very quickly realised that the hotel with over 100 rooms was being run by 1 manager, 1 chef, 1 member of barstaff (who doubled as a waitress) and 2 cleaners. I questioned the manager. “Oh yes” she declared in a slightly stressed and tired manner. “We don’t have many people here anymore. The computer does most of it. Except the cleaning; the computer can’t clean…yet”.
Robots have already started replacing certain jobs at pace
There was a perfect example of how technology has already begun to reduce the number of jobs in the hotel. They had got rid of the receptionist and porter; the manager now did their job as well as her own. 100 rooms serviced by a handful of people. If there expected a busy people the computer would flash up and they would draft in an extra person. In the future those cleaners will likely be robotic and the keys and spare pillows dished out by a vending machine. The Service Industry stands to be the most affected by robots as the technological era advances. Already, shops are full of automated tills. You scan your shopping, you pay by cash or card and the machine gives you your change and receipt. Suddenly; six till jobs have been replaced by machines.
Take a look at China – the World’s fastest growing economy – to see how they are dealing with robotics. Forget any vision you may have of rooms of hundreds of Chinese employees putting together toys on a production line; that’s old hat. Chinese companies purchased 66,000 robots in 2016 which were able to do the jobs of one million workers. More astonishing is that some of those robots cost less that the salary of one manager.
“But people will still want human interaction!” I hear you cry. Actually, I doubt it. There is already a new generation who live their lives with their face in a virtual world. They consume music and video on a 5 inch screen. They fake their social lives within social media accounts. The communicate with emojis and gifs. Many of this generation have no interest in speaking to other people. Then, with companies such a Amazon planning same-day drone deliveries, there will be no need to even leave their house. Their food and other shopping will arrive at their door and allow them even more time to spend dedicated to their phone screen.
Self aware robots aren’t far away
During the New Year holiday of 2014 I heard a technology ‘expert’ talking on the radio about how it would be at least 50 years before a computer could pass the Turing test, and that it would “require a Quantum computer”. 6 months later a Russian developed computer – Eugene – passed the test.
Increases in a ‘living wage’ may rapidly decrease towards the end of the 21st Century due to automation
In January 2018, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) released a report in which is predicted that the living wage may decrease as employers begin to favour automated systems over humans, forcing the living wage down by the end of the 21st Century.
“The fact there seemed to be a negligible employment impact of a minimum [wage] at £6.70 per hour – the 2015 rate – does not mean the same will be true of the rate of over £8.50 per hour that is set to apply in 2020,” a research economist at the IFS has said.
Many driving jobs will be replaced by self-driving vehicles 2030
We are already seeing taxis and heavy goods vehicles being automated. In November 2017 Alphabet – Google’s parent company – began allowing their automated car ‘Waymo’ to drive the streets of California with no driver in the safety position. A few months before the British government announced that it would allow companies to begin testing self-driving trucks. If you drive for a living it may be time to reevaluate your future career prospects.
What’s more, it’s predicted that 800,000 millions jobs will be lost to robots in the next 20 years.
Army, Navy and air force jobs will be replaced by machines
In 1984 the James Cameron film ‘Terminator’ was released. For those who haven’t see it (you really should) a cyborg is sent back from 2029 to assassinate the mother of a boy who will eventually go on to lead an uprising against the machine which have taken over the planet. Now whilst this idea sounds fanciful (and time travel is unlikely to ever happen), automated robotic warfare is just around the corner. Arms producers and military organisations are already using drones and it won’t be long before automated tanks are on the battle scene. And these robots won’t be slow – they’ll be extremely fast, accurate and highly efficient.
This is nothing. In a few years, that bot will move so fast you’ll need a strobe light to see it. Sweet dreams… https://t.co/0MYNixQXMw
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 26 November 2017
Advanced algorithms could lead to the end of the Justice system as we know it
Algorithms. Everywhere, Algorithms. Whilst algorithms and just a basic process of answering a question and moving on to the next based on the answer, they are becoming extremely advanced. Google’s power has become so large because of expertly defined algorithm behind it. Now imagine a computer that can act as judge and jury; it’s very possible. An algorithm could quite easily process the crime, look at the evidence, consider any mitigating circumstances and give out the relevant punishment.
In fact, it could be argued that this method would be fairer with accurate punishments being given out across the board. Humans are emotionally and morally flawed – algorithms are not.
“Humans are emotionally and morally flawed – algorithms are not.”
Over 4 million UK jobs could go in just 10 years
According to a survey by the Royal Society of Arts, over 4 million jobs could go in technology over the next 10 years. Take a look at the latest scheme by multinational company McDonald’s which has gradually started to roll out computerised ordering in its restaurants. No longer do you ask a human for your food but instead you select and pay for it on a large computer screen and collected it from an self-order point when it’s ready. Another prime example of unskilled labour being replacement by computers and the people who program them.
How will people earn money?
Businessman, camping enthusiast, Formula One fan and Real Ale drinker.
This is eye opening… I wonder what impact that would have on the marketing industry with the rise in automated systems?