Automation has been around since the dawn of humanity, but its impact was restricted to repetitive tasks until recently. We're already seeing a revolution in how we approach our workload, whether we realize it or not.
In this post I'll explore some of the trends and advances in automation and give tips on how you can adapt to the new labor landscape.
STEP 1: Technology Increases Efficiency
Every year, we're seeing more technology advance, which leads to more efficiency gains. Whether we're talking about self-driving cars or robots performing mundane jobs, technology is constantly evolving to create more efficient ways to do things.
Think of your current job: how much time and energy does it take to accomplish a task that could be completed in a fraction of the time by a robot or AI? We're moving from using physical labor to use more technology as a form of work automation.
The implications are massive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20 million people will lose their jobs over the next ten years. As more jobs become automated, companies must look for ways to replace those workers.
STEP 2: Robots Take More Jobs Than Ever Before
The past decade has seen an unprecedented growth in AI-driven technology. While AI still isn't as good as humans, it's advancing rapidly. In a report published by McKinsey & Company, they found that between 2016 and 2020, over 75 percent of all work activities will be automatable.
That means even entry-level roles will likely disappear. In fact, the percentage of US workers who actually perform manual labor is dropping. This is a huge development that will only continue to accelerate over the coming decades.
STEP 3: Companies are Now Looking to Hire Robots Instead of People
We're starting to see a shift towards hiring machines for repetitive jobs. The BLS estimates that by 2022, 70% of jobs will be automatable. But what's interesting is the specific types of jobs we're automating and the industries that are benefiting from it.
The most obvious example is healthcare. Robots can take care of routine medical duties that were previously handled by nurses. This reduces the number of people required and eliminates a significant source of errors.
But there are other industries where robots can make a big difference. Retail sales jobs, for example, have traditionally been held by low-skilled workers. Thanks to robots, these jobs can be performed by unskilled laborers. It's a big deal when robots can take on these kinds of jobs that require little training.
Finally, I want to point out the biggest trend in the near future: the growth of machine learning. Companies are now employing algorithms to make decisions and perform basic tasks on their behalf. The combination of technologies can eliminate a wide range of jobs.
Step 4: How You Can Become Adaptable
While technology will always evolve, you don't need to worry too much about it. The key is adapting to change. We're already seeing advancements like the above examples.
Lots of changes coming