In the coming years, hundreds of millions of jobs of a certain kind will be lost due to the arrival of robots and smart algorithms, but as many new jobs will also be created. This is nothing new and in an aging part of the world, it is also good news. Robots and smart digital employees will take over a large part of our work, allowing us to increase our prosperity, partially compensate for the effects of an aging population, and ultimately give us more free time.
The Work of the Robot
Which jobs will be lost and which will be created largely depends on the work that the robot can perform. It will be clear that an administrative digital employee executing processes in systems is easier to create, cheaper, and can be deployed much sooner than a plumbing robot that must perform work in many different environments. Algorithms are already better at various analytical tasks such as assessing medical scans, making decisions in disputes, and analyzing complex issues.
How can we prepare for this massive digital transition?
Of course, through education and lifelong learning. Keep up with developments.
But very important for the speed of this transition is to what extent we as humans will accept the judgment of a robot judge or a robot doctor. And if that robot law enforcement officer asks for your ID at the entrance of the stadium, will you show it? And do we still board the airplane that only flies on autopilot? ‘This is your pilot algorithm speaking, please fasten your seatbelts, we are ready for take-off…’
The use of robots and smart algorithms in many professions and for many applications will therefore primarily become a matter of acceptance. And if you do get fired by your robot boss, remind him of Asimov's three laws (1942).* If he is well programmed, it might help.
* Isaac Asimov formulated the three ‘laws’ for robots in a short story in 1942. They are:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
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