Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure you do things differently from everyone else.
Sara Blakely – Founder of Spanx
Robots are coming is a common refrain in Tech Futures. Robots and smart machines are doing a lot of our work and will do a lot more over the next few years. Take a look below:
• Robot revolution will create 97 million new jobs over the next several years.
• Machines will do 52% of worker tasks by 2025.
• Startups are re-visioning the entire food chain: food delivery services (drones), grocery stores (no VUCANs), packaging (3-D machines), and restaurants (food printing).
• People print their food at home using 3-D food printers for dry food.
• Restaurants are using 3-D printers to prepare specialized food.
• Robot can peel a head of lettuce in 27 seconds.
• Tipsy Robot bartender can make 120 cocktails per hour in Las Vegas at $12 to $16 a drink.
• Robot can assemble a simple IKEA chair in 20 minutes, while a human takes 10 to 15 minutes to assemble the same chair (if ever).
• 94.5% of doctors have the same diagnosis and treatment as a machine learning eye disease program.
• Introduction of 1 factory (industrial) robot replaces 6 workers.
• Hiring Robot can do 50,000 interviews/day for 200 client companies.
• Beijing Robotics Industry produces 100,000 robots yearly by 2020.
• Da Vinci robotic surgeons have completed 50 million human surgeries.
• Universal Robots has produced 25,000 collaborative robots (cobots), which is 60% of the market.
• 50,000 Las Vegas casino workers went on strike in 2018 demanding greater job security in part from the coming automation.
Work Lesson Earned: Best case scenario, a robot is going to be your work collaborator. Worst case, well … A few questions to think about: What can a robot do that you can’t? What can you do that a robot can’t? How will these impact your work/career? What are your work Plan B’s and contingency plans?
BTW: The above robot statistics are from various issues of ‘Clocking In from MIT Technology’- a great Tech Futures magazine.
Having worked in this market of automation and the changes in the workforce and business models, I have some firsthand experience with both sides of this conversation.
From being a technician, a trainer, a manger of training, project manager, reviewed engineering designs, and now consultant, I’ve benefited from studying and adapting to the changes in technology but know that no matter how far we go there will always be a need for people.
Robots/AI can only do what humans program them to do.
Humans aren’t perfect as we are flawed, but great things can be created from flawed people.
The desire to learn how to use these advances in technology allowed me to build upon the electro-mechanical mastery from being a 3rd generation elevator constructor with a HS diploma.
But I contribute most of my success to my creative passions and ability to utilize all these different systems Ito overcome the challenges that propelled my career.
I’m just now getting around to finalizing my degree, but hey, I’ve been a bit busy helping others succeed on their projects.
Jarred:
Congrats on finalizing your degree. Huge accomplishment.
You’re right. People are necessary. But, AI tech is marching quickly
I like your quote great things can be created from flawed people. I contribute my success to my creative passion. Consider writing a piece for us.
Congrats again on the degree.