"Rage Against the Machine" Yes, the robots are coming but why will the machine age need humans?

We rely on technology for everything these days. From our smartwatches and smartphones to cloud-based smart home services, everything is digital, and many things are automated. Digital disruption has affected almost every industry and changed the way we do business. If it seems like the robots are taking over, it’s because they are.

Robots have always been a touchy subject for humans. On the one hand, we love the convenience they provide. On the other hand, we fear they will replace us, take our jobs, and render us useless. Thankfully, most of the robotic overlord concerns are the stuff of science fiction. Yes, robots are a major part of our personal and professional lives, but humans are still needed.

Robotic efficiency

One industrial robot can take the place of 5.6 workers, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Robots are faster and more efficient than humans, making almost no errors as they complete the same routine task for hours on end. In both physical labor and digital processes, robots can outpace humans because they never need to sleep.

Robotic process automation (RPA) harnesses the power of software bots to automate business processes that are largely repeatable. These bots can mimic human behavior within a system, carrying out tedious tasks. With advances in machine learning and AI, software bots can analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns, and make decisions without requiring much interaction from humans.

Integrating robots

Financial services, government agencies, health care services, and the retail industry are just some of the countless industries integrating robots into their practices. Adidas has developed a Speedfactory using robots to quickly produce products, reducing the cost of their goods without sacrificing quality. Home improvement retailer, Lowes, has introduced Oshbots into several stores. These robots can speak multiple languages and direct customers to the exact product they are looking for in stores.

In the finance industry, RPA and AI are helping financial institutions and businesses prevent fraud through cyber surveillance. Retailers use machine learning to capture data and analyze it in order to improve the customer experience. This technology can also be used to gain customer insights and optimize pricing. The transportation industry has introduced this technology to analyze data and identify trends in order to improve the efficiency of travel routes.

Robotic replacement

Due to their efficiency and cost-reducing characteristics, robots and software bots are rendering many jobs obsolete. However, automation via robots is actually increasing the number of available jobs in some cases. While it may seem like robots are taking over, humans are far from useless.

 Businesses that integrate robots or software bots into their processes are growing. They are keeping up with the latest trends and improving their overall efficiency. Because of this, they are able to hire new people and increase their overall headcount. While humans are still needed, their roles are likely to change.

One of the biggest benefits of incorporating robots, AI, or machine learning into a business is the amount of time it frees up for human employees. Workers can get up to 30% of their day back once tedious or repetitive tasks are automated. This allows humans to focus on more complex issues or use their time to develop innovative solutions. Your day-to-day responsibilities are likely to be much different after robotic integration.

 Also, IT skills are in high demand as RPA and other software bots become more popular. Businesses are constantly looking for the next innovation in AI or machine learning as well as new ways to apply it to their current practices. Professionals who can identify areas that can harness the power of machine learning will be invaluable. Even better, people who create new solutions and continue to innovate will have bright futures in the tech industry.

 Conclusion

The robots are coming, in fact for many industries they are already here. There is really no way to slow down the advances in technology that are occurring every day when it comes to robots in the workforce.

However, humans do not have to fear or rage against the machines. While roles may change and jobs may shift, humans will always be necessary. In fact I believe humans will be come even more important for specific roles, connecting and meeting the correct humans i believe to be even more important, but that's a blog I've covered before.

Stephen is the Managing Director of Meet the Boss. Meet The Boss is a leader in providing exclusive networking and tailored learning opportunities for senior executives. Our advisory boards and content teams research and identify serious business challenges from your sector. Then we use our database, marketing and old-fashioned relationship-building skills to find and connect with senior executives facing and solving those challenges.

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