Automation has been around us since the earliest of days. I’m talking about Ancient Arabic and Egyptian automation projects, such as clocks and auto-reloading siege engines. Today, most recognize the latest modern-day efforts in self-opening doors or self-driving cars. Either way, automation is one of the fastest-growing disciplines around the globe. I see fit to define it as the application of machines to do tasks once performed by human beings or that would otherwise be impossible for them to attempt matching time and effort. So, with the take-off of non-stop massification, where does automation growth leave workers? I’m giving you my opinions on this pressing topic.

Workers in Automation

Contextualizing the Role of Automation in Modern Society

Automation is having technology do things for you so that you don’t have to, which implies a reduction of human intervention. Examples are all around us:

  • A quick log-in to LinkedIn can show you all kinds of videos about the robotics tech large companies such as Amazon and UPS use nowadays to organize warehouses, ship orders, and even make pizza.
  • If you stop at McDonald’s, there is a touch screen to place your order.  
  • Want to place a coffee shop order? Great! Just go to the app to do it and pay for it.

It’s crazy how fast automation is moving into every industry, especially now, with Covid-19 restricting shipping, workers’ hours, and site visits; it has caused a lot of companies to look at automation as a solution.

Workers Inherit Mixed Impacts with the Growth of Automation

As we can see, the implantation of automation solutions is everywhere. The mass deployment creates stand out benefits for workers, such as:

  • Allowing them to spend more time on critical thinking instead of doing repetitive work, and
  • Giving them more freedom to expand creativity and relaxation in the workplace.

These advantages enhance chances to increase productivity and obtain higher profits for businesses. After all, processes are automated and require less human interaction. 

For all those positives comes a negative: Future displacement. This is a major concern for workers. 

After Analyzing, What Does This Mean for Workers? 

In my opinion, automation will continue to grow, and careers will be shifted into other areas as it has done over time. Therefore, I believe that workers will have to develop different skill sets. 

What skill sets?

Fortunately, there are several options! Becoming an AI trainer, robot technician, electrician, data analyst, or software developer are the first things coming on to the top of my head. For sure, there are so many options/areas to explore that have been growing and are assured as future jobs that will get bigger at the same pace of automation. 

In this instance, I believe this scenario can be taken as an opportunity for the workforce to learn new abilities transferable to the workplace. 

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