Impact of Technology on Jobs: Will Automation & Artificial Intelligence reduce or increase Jobs?

Buzzwords such as Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Machine Learning etc. are buzzing around industries and across geographies for some time. While these technological advancements promise a surreal future, prediction of loss of jobs due to human replacement is also expected. Proponents of technological advancements argue that while technology will replace semi and unskilled jobs but in turn it will herald a new era of innovative jobs. Being a Business Management aspirant, the talk of future and futuristic jobs becomes an important subject. Hence, this is a burning topic which is likely to be a part of group discussions of B-Schools.

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Technology intervention is inevitable in any sphere. It does raise the bar of productivity, efficiency and safety to a level which is not achievable by humans. Adoption of technology, global reach and faster communication has overhauled manufacturing, servicing, product delivery and also employment associated with these sectors. But, this is not the first time the world has experienced significant shifts in employment due to new technology.History states that technology has been a creator of jobs and has augmented new avenues. The course this time will be same or not is a debatable issue. The prominent technologies that are likely to bring disruption are:

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) or Machine Intelligence (MI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and reacts like humans. Artificial intelligence includes programming computers/Robots for certain traits such as: Knowledge, Reasoning, Problem solving, Perception, Learning, Planning, Ability to manipulate and move objects etc.

Autonomous and near-autonomous vehicles: Vehicles that can navigate and operate with reduced or no human intervention. These vehiclesare becoming a concrete reality and may pave the way for future systems where computers take over the art of driving.

3D printing: 3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.

Industrial Automation: Industrialautomationcan be defined as the use ofset technologies and automatic control devices that results the automatic operation and control of industrial processes without significant human intervention and achieving superior performance than manual control.

Next-generation genomics: The massively parallel sequencing technology known as next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the biological sciences. With its ultra-high throughput, scalability, and speed, NGS enables researchers to perform a wide variety of applications and study biological systems at a level never before possible.

Advanced materials: - Materials that are designed to have superior characteristics such as strength, weight, conductivity or functionality.

Arguments supporting that technologicaladvancements will lead to Job loss

Industries across the globe are adopting new technologies for higher efficiency and performance, lower manufacturing. Machines can reduce risk and increase effectiveness. This could lead to elimination of a vast number of semi or unskilled jobs, who make a substantial portion of the workforce in manufacturing and agriculture sector.
Automation isn’t just for blue-collar workers anymore. Computers are now taking over tasks performed by professional workers, raising fears of massive unemployment.
Researchers at MIT foresee dismal prospects for many types of jobs as these powerful new technologies are increasingly adopted not only in manufacturing, clerical, and retail work but in professions such as law, financial services, education, and medicine.
“Jobs Lost, Jobs Gained: workforce transition in a time of automation”; a research report by Mckinsey Global Institute, provides states that: By 2030, 75 million to 375 million workers (3 to 14 percent of the global workforce) will need to switch occupational categories. Moreover, all workers will need to adapt, as their occupations evolve alongside increasingly capable machines.
The pace of modern technological change is so rapid that many workers, unable to adjust, will simply become obsolete.
According to Joel Mokyr, a leading economic historian at Northwestern University,“The current disruptions are faster and more intensive.” Mokyr says “It is nothing like what we have seen in the past, and the issue is whether the system can adapt as it did in the past.”

Arguments that Jobs will not be lost due totechnological advancements

According to research firm Gartner, more jobs will be created than lost by automation. The firm stated thatthough 1.8 million jobs will be eliminated by 2020, but 2.3 million new jobs will be created by then.
It is widely suggested that that workers will have greater employment opportunities if their occupation undergoes some degree of computer automation. As long as they can learn to use the new tools, automation will be their friend. For example; when ATMs automated the tasks of bank tellers and when barcode scanners automated the work of cashiers: Rather than contributing to unemployment, the number of workers in these occupations grew.
With advent of new technologies industry experts see the need for skilled workers increasing in the short run and persisting for at least another decade.The experts call for training programs with a new curriculum and certifications to standardize emerging job classifications.

Enabling more people to harness the benefits from technological advancements is in the best interest of any business or country. Continuous investment in technology without considering the impact on existing workforce could result in a host of other problems. For a smooth transition from current skepticism towards new technology to skilled workforce initiatives like improved retraining for workers who have lost their jobs to automation, and increased financial protections for those seeking new careers, are the recommended steps.

Tips to improve participation in GD round
The above discussed topic is one of the latest topics that has appeared in GD rounds at various top B-schools and as WAT topic also in slightly different form. One needs to understand about the topic before speaking because it is no more a Globalization in its conventional form but is to be taken up in current global scenario. The topic has been carefully chosen and solved with the sole aim to help you succeed in GD round. If you follow the few key tips, you can improve your chances to get through the GD round.

Initiate the group discussion only if you are well versed with the GD topic.
If you are not well versed with the topic and feel a bit low on content, try to gather information from first 1-2 speakers and then place your view point.
Quote facts and figures, if you are sure of the source else leave it. You may encounter volley of questions on the economic statistics, trade data or historical facts from your fellow participants. Unless very sure, don’t use it.
Make multiple entries using the opportunity to speak. Take clue from your predecessor and turn it to your benefit.
Speak in a firm and audible voice but never shout as it may result in a negative impression of yours.
Since GD is a sort of debate, you should have a clear view point on the topic – either for or against. Do not switch viewpoints frequently. However if you have points for both for and against the topic substantiate your viewpoint with well qualified data, examples or exceptions.
Even if you agree or disagree to the view point of other participant, add value by giving reasons for it when you speak but don’t simply say I agree or disagree.

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