Impacts of Robotics and Automation on Future Work

Robotics and automation are transforming the world of work in unprecedented ways. They are creating new opportunities for productivity, innovation, and social good, but also posing significant challenges for workers, businesses, and society.

In this article, we will explore some of the key impacts of robotics and automation on the future of work, and what they mean for different stakeholders.

What are robotics and automation?

Robotics and automation are broad terms that refer to the use of machines and software to perform tasks that were previously done by humans or that go beyond human capabilities. They include:

• Industrial automation: The use of machines and systems to control and monitor physical processes, such as manufacturing, assembly, and logistics. Examples include robots, sensors, and conveyor belts.
• Advanced robotics: The use of machines that can sense, learn, and interact with their environment, such as autonomous vehicles, drones, and humanoid robots. Examples include self-driving cars, delivery robots, and social robots.
• Artificial intelligence (AI): The use of software and algorithms to perform tasks that require human-like intelligence, such as reasoning, decision making, and natural language processing. Examples include speech recognition, computer vision, and machine learning.

How are robotics and automation affecting work?

Robotics and automation are affecting work in various ways, such as:

• Improving efficiency and quality: Robotics and automation can help workers perform tasks faster, more accurately, and more consistently, reducing errors, waste, and costs. For example, robots can assemble products with precision, AI can detect fraud and anomalies, and automation can optimize supply chains and logistics.
• Enhancing creativity and innovation: Robotics and automation can augment human capabilities and enable new possibilities for work, such as creating new products, services, and industries. For example, robots can assist artists and designers, AI can generate novel ideas and insights, and automation can facilitate collaboration and experimentation.
• Addressing societal challenges: Robotics and automation can contribute to solving some of the most pressing problems facing humanity, such as health, education, and climate change. For example, robots can assist in surgery and care, AI can diagnose diseases and personalize learning, and automation can reduce emissions and improve sustainability.

What are the implications of robotics and automation for workers?

Robotics and automation have significant implications for workers, such as:

• Changing the demand for skills: Robotics and automation will change the mix of skills required in the labor market, as some tasks will be automated, some will be complemented, and some will be created. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced by automation, while 97 million new roles may emerge that are more adapted to the new division of labor between humans and machines¹. The skills that are likely to be in higher demand include analytical, digital, social, and emotional skills, as well as creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking¹.
• Requiring lifelong learning and upskilling: Robotics and automation will require workers to continuously update and acquire new skills throughout their careers, as the pace of change and innovation will accelerate. Workers will need to adapt to changing tasks, roles, and occupations, and to learn how to work effectively with machines. This will require access to quality education and training, as well as a culture of learning and development in the workplace².
• Creating new opportunities and challenges for work quality: Robotics and automation will create new opportunities and challenges for the quality of work, such as job satisfaction, well-being, and income. On the one hand, robotics and automation can enhance work quality by reducing physical and mental strain, increasing autonomy and flexibility, and enabling more meaningful and rewarding work. On the other hand, robotics and automation can also undermine work quality by increasing stress and anxiety, reducing social interaction and support, and creating income inequality and insecurity³.

What are the implications of robotics and automation for businesses?

Robotics and automation have significant implications for businesses, such as:

• Increasing competitiveness and growth: Robotics and automation can help businesses gain a competitive edge and achieve higher growth, by improving productivity, quality, and innovation, as well as reducing costs and risks. For example, according to a study by Oxford Economics, by 2030, robots could boost global GDP by 5.3%, or $4.9 trillion, more than the projected output of Germany⁴.
• Requiring strategic and organizational transformation: Robotics and automation will require businesses to rethink and transform their strategies and organizations, such as their value proposition, business model, processes, and culture. Businesses will need to identify and leverage the opportunities and advantages of robotics and automation, as well as manage the risks and challenges. This will require leadership, vision, and agility, as well as investment, collaboration, and governance⁵.
• Increasing social and environmental responsibility: Robotics and automation will increase the social and environmental responsibility of businesses, as they will have a greater impact on workers, customers, communities, and the planet. Businesses will need to ensure that their use of robotics and automation is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable, and that they contribute to the common good. This will require accountability, transparency, and stakeholder engagement, as well as alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

What are the implications of robotics and automation for society?

Robotics and automation have significant implications for society, such as:

• Enhancing human potential and well-being: Robotics and automation can enhance human potential and well-being, by enabling people to achieve more, learn more, and live better. Robotics and automation can help people overcome physical and cognitive limitations, access more opportunities and resources, and enjoy more leisure and quality of life.
• Challenging human values and identity: Robotics and automation can challenge human values and identity, by raising ethical, moral, and existential questions. Robotics and automation can affect human dignity, autonomy, and agency, as well as human relationships, communities, and cultures. Robotics and automation can also challenge human uniqueness, purpose, and meaning, as well as human rights, responsibilities, and roles.
• Requiring collective action and governance: Robotics and automation will require collective action and governance, by involving multiple and diverse stakeholders and interests. Robotics and automation will affect the distribution of power, wealth, and influence, as well as the social contract and the rule of law. Robotics and automation will also create new opportunities and challenges for cooperation and conflict, both within and across countries and regions.

Conclusion

Robotics and automation are reshaping the future of work in profound ways, creating both opportunities and challenges for workers, businesses, and society.

To harness the benefits and mitigate the risks of robotics and automation, we need to adopt a proactive and collaborative approach, involving all relevant actors and stakeholders.

We also need to embrace a human-centric and holistic perspective, balancing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of work.

By doing so, we can ensure that robotics and automation serve the common good and enhance the well-being of all.

References

¹: World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2020, October 2020. Link ²: McKinsey Global Institute, Skill Shift: Automation and the Future of the Workforce, May 2018. Link ³: International Labour Organization, Work for a Brighter Future: Global Commission on the Future of Work, January 2019. Link ⁴: Oxford Economics, How Robots Change the World: What Automation Really Means for Jobs and Productivity, June 2019. Link ⁵: Deloitte, The Robots are Ready: Are You? The Future of Automation in the Workplace, 2018. Link : United Nations, Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, September 2015. [Link] : World Economic Forum, Shaping the Future of the New Economy and Society, 2020. [Link] : European Parliament, The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Issues and Initiatives, March 2020. [Link] : OECD, Artificial Intelligence in Society, June 2019. [Link]