Automation in the Near Future

Technology is rapidly changing. The ever-evolving landscape of technology and automation impacts us every single day. The use of technology, automation, and yes, even robots, we rely on today couldn’t even be imagined fifteen, ten, even five years ago.

Much of automation and technological advances deal with the way we work, the way we live, and even the way we interact with the world around us. Just a few years ago, we didn’t know we would live in a world in which we connect with friends and family across continents using a phone; or making a living using the internet; or ordering something and having it delivered a few short days later.

The technology and automation that makes all of this possible continues to move forward. Five, ten, fifteen years from now, new technologies and advances will define our lives. Interaction with family and friends differently, work differently, and most certainly live differently. And that’s a good thing!

Jobs Claimed by Automation

Automation enables us to do so much more than we thought possible. However, people sometimes scoff at technology. Saying when technology and automation move forward, humans lose jobs. And that’s true. Technological advances replace human labor.

But that’s okay. Because even though jobs are lost due to advances in automation, jobs are also created! Take, for example, my job writing this blog post. 15 years ago no one thought that writing on the internet was a feasible job. But that changed.

That’s the cool thing about technology – we don’t yet know for sure what future jobs await creation. We don’t yet know for sure what new industries and changes to industries await us by using technology. It’s a fascinating puzzle.

Already Disappearing Jobs

However, we know jobs that automation erases in the not-so-distant future. Most of them robots easily take over.

Examples:

• Bank Tellers

• Mail Carriers

• Cashiers

• Fast Food Cooks

• Computer Programmers

• Telephone Operators

• Typists

• Watch Repairer

• Parking Enforcement Worker

• Farmers

• Sewing Machine Operators

• Data Entry Keyers

• Street News Vendors

• Electronic Equipment Assemblers

• FIle Clerks

• Computer Operators

• Florists

• Loan Clerks

Yes, robots replace you. I mean, even my job writing blog posts disappears as new technologies emerge. That’s okay though. I’ll move on. I’ll gain new skills in perhaps an unknown industry waiting creation. Whenever technology and automation advances, it opens up opportunities for other unimagined jobs.

Human Employment Serves Higher Purposes

Although the economy loses jobs, the economy will still boom because at the core of the economy lies the value of a unit of work completed. Robots, technology, and automation accomplish work for a lot lower cost than humans. The invention of the corn combine shows us how.

The Corn Combine Example

Before the corn combine, people picked corn by hand. Such a long and strenuous process! But now we plant and harvest so much corn that we feed an entire country and still have corn left over.

That leftover corn becomes a fuel source for vehicles. I mean, who would’ve imagined in the 1800s that their descendants grow and harvest so much corn, thanks to technology, that they use it as a fuel source. It just wasn’t in their purview of imagining.

Automation Creates a More Efficient Economy

With automation, we free up time from mundane tasks in order to concentrate on more important tasks or higher purposes. Jobs that serve higher purposes push new industries to emerge. And people simply adapt to the changing environment like they’ve done for centuries.

A more efficient economy emerges. One that allows people to live comfortably for much less money and allows people to enjoy meaningful occupations. These occupations, related to human improvement and skilled artisanry, hinge on technology and automation.

Automation Isn’t a Replacement for Human Intelligence and Creativity

Although automation makes life easier, it isn’t a replacement for the human intellect or ability for creativity. I mean, humans came up with all of this technology in the first place. We came up with technology and automation in the beginning to satisfy and improve our most basic needs. Then we move on to other aspects and press forward.

An easy way to think about technology and automation: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Basic needs at the bottom – shelter, food, water. The needs moving up become more intricate such as friendship, intimacy, and connection. And finally, at the very top is the need to self-actualize, or become the best version of yourself.

Concentrate on Self-Actualization

With the minutia taken care of, people focus on work such as counseling, fitness, martial arts, sports, music, and all other types of human skill. In addition, people honing artisan skills such as baking, micro-farming, woodworking, and other crafts supplies jobs.

Technology follows this order. We create technologies and automation to meet our basic needs, then ascend to more intricate needs, and by the end, use technology to self-actualize – becoming the best version of ourselves possible. It’s truly amazing! And the only way we get there: intelligence and creativity.

Stop Obsessing Over Automation

We need to stop obsessing over people losing their jobs due to technology, or fearing theoretical robot takeovers. Concentrate on creating technologies that open up opportunities and new jobs. Don’t be scared of technology!

Embrace it. Allow technology and automation to improve our quality of our life and others lives. Looking forward with faith in industries of the future.