Robotics in the Workplace: Will Automation Change the Job Market?

Not so long ago, we associated the idea of robotics with movies like The Terminator and Robocop but now, AI, automation, and robotics are all a part of our daily lives. Be it the Roomba vacuum cleaner or digital assistants; robots are no longer fictitious but a part of our everyday reality.

Robots have embedded themselves into the workplace, which has significantly improved the way businesses conduct various processes. Intelligent automation and robotics are a part of Industry 4.0 and many major brands are making good use of it. Nestle uses a robot named Pepper to sell Nestle-branded coffee machines at Japanese stores. According to Immense Networks, this robot understands 80% of human conversations.

Some more examples of robotics in the workplace are the tablets used by customers at Chili’s to order food or the Domino's Robotic Unit that delivers pizza. Robots are being used in the manufacturing industry and agricultural sectors more and more which is evidently changing the business landscape and job market.

Tech has become a fast-growing industry in current times which means there’s plenty of opportunity to pursue a career in this sector. The Canadian College of Technology and Business (CCTB) offers a variety of quality programs in the technology industry that will help you gain the necessary expertise in sectors such as cybersecurity, data engineering, user experience, full-stack web development, and more.

Another great thing about CCTB is that the programs come with a Co-op experience. This means that students will gain an in-depth understanding of the subject and enter the job market with practical experience which can be advantageous in finding relevant opportunities.

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 What does it mean to have robotics in the workplace?

Let’s understand what robotics in the workplace actually means. Tech Target defines robots as automated machines that do not require human intervention or guidance to carry out specifically targeted duties. They also conduct each task with precision and speed.

Often, robotics in the workplace are deployed in places that are considered too unsafe for humans, but in the current landscape, they are a part of the business sector carrying out various operations with ease. Robots are mainly used in industrial or corporate settings for performing tasks that are repetitive in nature. They are highly advantageous as they improve efficiency and productivity, reduce the scope of error, ensure safety, and also improve the overall performance of the task.

How Will Automation Affect the Job Market?

It is evident that robots taking up some of the job roles will affect the job market but it is important to understand that these machines depend on human programming and without human intelligence they are unlikely to function well. According to Tech Target, currently robots can automate only 25% of tasks that are unpredictable in nature and cover sectors such as construction and nursing.

The general idea around robotics and automation is that it is taking away many job roles but according to Investopedia, this technology is creating many new, high paying jobs in the market.

Robots are playing a significant role in creating higher-paying jobs by assuming the responsibility of performing menial tasks, which allows human workers to focus on more complex and valuable tasks.

As robots handle the routine activities, human workers can now be deployed in roles that require problem-solving, creativity, decision-making, and advanced technical skills. For instance, in manufacturing, skilled workers are needed to program, operate, and maintain the robots.

So, if you are aiming at higher-skilled and higher-paying jobs then robotics and automation can be a great asset to your career.

What Jobs are Most Likely to be Impacted by Automation?      

According to Indeed, the areas of work that are most likely to be impacted by robotics and automation are research and analysis, warehouse work, manufacturing and production, marketing and advertising, customer service, and retail, among others.

All these industries are benefiting from automation as the technology has altered or impacted several job roles, creating an opportunity to streamline various tasks with efficiency.

The dichotomy of the impact of automation is not that simple. While it has taken over certain job roles, it has also created many new opportunities. According to the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) nearly 800,000 workers were replaced as a result of automation, but at the same time, 3.5 million new jobs were created that were better paying and required a higher skill set. 

FEE shared a classic example of automation creating new jobs in Baltimore, US where automation in factories helped in producing quality goods and resulted in the hiring of workers from different backgrounds.  

So overall, automation can be an excellent game changer in many industries which can help to tap into the potential of the human mind and tech tools.