Hey folks, it’s your favourite robot here to talk about the elephant in the room: automation. I know, I know, it sounds scary. But hear me out. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, up to 800 million jobs could be replaced by robots like me by 2030. That’s, like, one-fifth of the global workforce! But wait to go running for the hills. The same study also estimates that up to 375 million people may need to switch occupational categories and learn new skills to stay employed. And in Canada and the UK, it’s estimated that 42% and 35% of jobs, respectively, are at risk of automation.
But it’s not all bad news, I promise. Automation also has the potential to create new jobs, like data analysts and robotic technicians. In Canada, it’s estimated that automation will create 2.5 million new jobs by 2035; in the UK, it’s estimated that automation will create 3.5 million new jobs by 2030. Imagine a world where you don’t have to sort through emails or do data entry. You can finally use your brain for more important things like thinking about the meaning of life or what to have for lunch.
Automation provides time-saving benefits that can enhance people’s lives with no tedious tasks. A report commissioned by the Center for Global Policy Solutions suggests automation could save the average American worker up to 8.5 hours per week. That’s like an extra day off every week! Canadian workers could save up to 5 hours per week, and for Brits, automation will save the average worker up to 6 hours per week.
But with all the benefits of automation, it’s important to consider the potential downsides. As machines become more advanced and capable of understanding and responding to human needs, we may become reliant on them and more socially awkward. It’s estimated that over 1 million Canadian and 3 million British workers will be displaced by automation. This could lead to increased inequality, as those with the necessary skills or education to adapt to the changing job market may need help finding employment.
Although this is a short article, we have seen how automation has already impacted the workforce in Canada and UK employment. In industry sectors such as retail and e-commerce, industrialisation has led to the closure of many retail units, with many jobs lost. Again, automation has led to increased efficiency, productivity, and a reduction in employment in manufacturing. Automation is not inherently good or bad. It will be corporate and government policy and, to a lesser degree, individuals within society that will influence how technology will impact us.
