Robotics - 5 on the Future of Work Discussion

How will Robotics affect the Future of Work?

Loveable robots – C3PO R2-D2

Friend or Foe? Will robots be a productivity tool co-existing with humans or are they a threat to the workforce and our Future of Work? There has been a tsunami of articles & videos, triggering discussions on whether we should have a Robot tax or universal basic income. 5FWD offers Robotics as a topic for discussion and debate.

Robots – Coming of Age

The cluster of articles relating to robotics and their use in the workplace shows that we are approaching a tipping point related to this technology. A new exhibition ‘Robots’ at the Science Museum in London – traces a technology that started over 500 years ago as Man tried to automate the repetitive tasks, increase productivity and accuracy. Watch this interesting video about the exhibit by The Guardian, which launches our discussion:

Robotics started with Industrialization and have become more sophisticated as technologies have evolved.

5FWD is a compilation of 5 recent articles focusing on technologies and developments that could affect how we live, work and play 5-15 years from now – impacting our Future of Work and encouraging Discussion.

GenZ (born 1995-present) will be hitting the workforce within the next 2 years. As you read and discuss these articles with friends, parents, educators, work-colleagues:

How could your current job path change to accommodate robotic assistance?
Assess the opportunities that will be created in these new industries. What skills will you need?
Is this technology at a Tipping Point? What particular indicators or signals are you watching that make you believe so?
Debate how long it will take before it is mainstream like our cell phones?

Focus on Robots & Robotics

Some themes that struck me in the articles below:

Fear: A theme that Robotics – especially automation – is the biggest threat to the expectation of a return to full Employment especially in North America
Positivity: Global population dynamics show an aging generation that will need to be assisted and served by robots
Co-existence: With the expectation that we will be co-existing with robots, a number of researchers are focused on programming them with fluid humanoid motions

News Roundup:

Which jobs are at risk?: The 12 jobs most at risk of being replaced by robots: (Business Insider) Based on a study from Oxford University, many repetitive and entry-level positions in fast food and business could be replaced with a robot. Evidence that Robots are winning the Race for American jobs (NYT) Domino Pizza recently trialed a self-driving delivery robot in Brisbane, Australia (Life Hacker)
We are going to need Robots: Robots won’t kill the workforce. They will save the Global Economy (Washington Post) offered the suggestion from Morgan Stanley Global strategist Ruchir Sharma that robots will fill the global labor gap resulting from low birth rates and longer lifespans. Robots are necessary to meet the support demands of a rapidly expanding aging generation, especially in China.
Robot-assisted surgery: The DaVinci Robot has been in use since 2000. Through minimally invasive surgery, the robot is manipulated by the surgeon seated away from the patient. The accuracy of the cuts and the shorter healing times makes this a very attractive option for cardiac, hysterectomy, prostate and throat surgeries.
Co-Existence: Learning to Love our Robot Co-Workers (NYT-Magazine) discussed how we can leverage this new source of productivity. We have embraced the cellphone, incorporated it into our daily routine and expanded our productivity. Why should a robot be different?
What signal should you be watching?: Roomba vacuum cleaners, Siri, Drones, Robotics Clubs. What technology – AI, sensors, IoT, chips size, smartphones – pushed the advances in Robotics? What should you be watching for to see that Robotics is now gaining acceptance and becoming mainstream? Watch this webinar

‘} … {*

Discussion time: What can I do about this – to embrace this and make it work for me?

Here are a few questions to help start conversations in the classroom, at the dinner table or at a cocktail party:

For job security? Play nice: Observe that the jobs that robots are best at are the highly repetitive rules-based tasks that need precision – assembly line, bookkeeping, welding. They self-learn after processing vast amounts of data. Robots are not good at making a judgment call when using minimal amounts of input data, or at jobs that require empathy and human interaction. Are there also other job functions that are ‘mission-critical’ work can you do with Robots? Build, program and maintain them?
For Parents and Educators: Prioritize a flexible mindset – teach them to think around corners. Young students who can scan data, analyze patterns and .
Create a new Idea: Did you know that DaVinci based robots have been assisting in operations since 2000? After reading these articles, consider 2 recent human interactions which a robot could possibly do better – and share them.
Blending your past experiences: As I researched a number of TED talks, I noticed that today’s robot developers blend components of their past experiences, interests, and careers – computing, coding, art, music, animation, acting – in their quest to make robots more relatable. Does this give you any ideas?

5FWD is a compilation of 5 recent articles focusing on technologies and developments that could affect how we live, work and play 5-15 years from now – impacting our Future of Work and encouraging Discussion.

Next week’s topic: Working 9-5
Topics in this series: Driverless Planes, Trains & Automobiles

HOPE FOR THE BEST, PLAN FOR THE REST

The GenZ student who wants to stay on top of an ever-evolving job market and wants to be ready to step into the Careers of Tomorrow needs to constantly stay informed and incorporate advances in technology during their post-secondary education.

Karena engages with her clients (students and their families) to help them get the best return on their investment of education and time. An average undergrad+postgrad spans 4-6 years, which is as long as a technology cycle. Most jobs now require a postgraduate qualification.

To work with Karena, please email Karena@theKarenaArena.com. Like this post? Please subscribe to email alerts below to catch new posts and follow the Karena Arena on FaceBook.

THANKS, INSPIRATION, REFERENCES, RELATED READING, CITATIONS

To the Discover Year student who brought robot-assisted operations onto my radar during our discussion on the possible impact of technology & robotics
Photo credit – R2D2 & C3PO – Marc Lagneau on Flickr; Daleks – Ian Monk
Where can I learn more? This selection of articles does not begin to scratch the broad range of material available. For technology, design, and evolution TED.com & Scientific American. For the economic solutions to the effect of Robotics on Jobs follow New York Times, The Guardian, The Economist etc. Search with keywords Robots, Robotics, Future of Work
The Guardian UK – search Future of Work, Robots; New York Times – search Automation, Future of Work
Robots and our assembly plants: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/upshot/the-long-term-jobs-killer-is-not-china-its-automation.html?action=click&contentCollection=The%20Upshot&module=RelatedCoverage&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article
History of Robotics – authored by Bernard de Souza

Robotics – 5 on the Future of Work Discussion