Robot Technology & 5G Will Replace Human Jobs in the Future

Robots are starting to take over jobs from hourly human employees, and the situation is going to exacerbate in the coming years. According to a study by management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, nearly 45% of current jobs can be replaced by robots. We need to stop overlooking the situation and develop actual strategies to help such employees.

Robot Technology Human Jobs in the Future

This situation is commonplace. The evolution of jobs and technological advancements go hand in hand. We have already entered a new era of 5G and robot technology (robotics) that has the potential to transform all industries. Moreover, this transition does not mean that robots will entirely replace humans in the future. They are more likely to assist and upskill human capabilities, leading to increased productivity and efficiency, higher wages, and new employment opportunities.

We build machines and technologies to perform multiple tasks at once; tasks that are difficult for people; or where there are fundamental human limits. Machines are used for complex tasks or calculations; vehicles for faster transportation; and robots for accurate assembly.

The human-machine interaction and co-evolution will continue. According to research by Nokia, approximately 70% of jobs will be new collar jobs by 2030. These kinds of jobs will be of two types — blue-collar jobs and white-collar jobs. Technology will multiply the number and types of physical roles people can undertake in almost all industries. For instance, a construction worker in the future will use robots and exoskeletons to complete overwhelming tasks while simultaneously being safeguarded from hazards or exposure to toxic substances and things.

On the other hand, white-collar jobs will become more creative by leveraging AI and machine learning (ML). In case of a future pandemic, physicians would be able to test and diagnose patients in a remote setting, with persistent monitoring and tracking of contacts, thereby resulting in a reduced transmission rate.

In any case, the concern about employment losses due to 5G-powered automation lies in one employment type: recurring clerical roles. These roles will indeed be replaced by robots in the future.

Here’s the truth: You can’t stop technological advancements and innovations. Bans tend to worsen the situation rather than allowing people to innovate. In fact, we need to closely watch how we innovate and be aware of its impacts on society. For instance, several leaders have joined Elon Musk to establish a non-profit AI research startup called Open AI to promote and build AI in a way to benefit humanity as a whole.

Ways to Prevent Job Losses in the Future

The thing is, no one can predict what lies in the future, but there are several ways displaced workers could survive. Mentioned below are a few of them.

Upskill Displaced Employees
Most displaced jobs are process-driven jobs. These are the roles that can be easily automated, including transportation, manufacturing, and customer service. These jobs will be completed more efficiently and at a faster rate by AI and robots compared to humans. In order to have a productive future, specialists recommend humans to robots to work hand in hand. For instance, robots can complete tasks that can be automated, and humans can do the jobs that need a personal or creative touch.

Displaced employees could potentially upskill their capabilities to apply them in other industries. For instance, displaced workers in the customer service industry can re-skill to develop their existing skills and work in a different area. Furthermore, people who aren’t at risk of losing their jobs should expand their skills.

People who switch to different jobs are being provided with more opportunities to expand their skill sets. The workers who are prepared the most leverage online courses, industry workshops or webinars, and community college classes to improve and expand their skills. Moreover, they even get certifications in different technologies for later use. A lot of companies are already providing training for their employees. More companies and governments need to follow these strategies.

Shift Them to Different Areas
Bill Gates said that AI is a boon to society and that displaced employees could work in other fields in the labor market, including elder care, support for special needs children, and teaching. Rather than learning new skills, this particular solution enables employees to use their existing skills in new industries.

While it is a fact that there are several jobs available in these industries, they don’t pay much to employees. However, these jobs are relatively safe from being replaced by robots.

New Technologies That Create Jobs
The rising issue of job displacement is even more difficult to solve because we cannot predict the future. We are not sure what skills will be the most useful in the coming years or the technologies that would be the most prevalent. New technologies could be introduced that can change the scenario and require new skills.

In such a case, displaced employees could potentially have more employment opportunities in other industries. But it also makes it difficult to push people in jobs that are more at risk of being replaced by robots to improve their skillset if we are unsure of what skills will be important in the future.

According to experts, soft human skills such as communication, empathy, and creativity will always be required because robots can’t learn those skills or even replicate them. Besides, new technologies and innovations will open the roadway to other hard skills that could be needed and in high demand in the coming years.

The Bottom Line

The future will be driven by AI, 5G, and robot technology. They will play a significant role in everyone’s lives — particularly employment — whether that means they make it easier or replaces it. We need to have actual conversations and build real solutions now about what to do with displaced employees so we can be prepared when the time comes.
With the novel, innovative applications of 5G technology still years off, knowing how it will revolutionize work is hard to discern. That doesn’t mean we can’t prepare, though. We need to spend significant time learning about 5G infrastructure, as understanding how they are built will make it easier to see where it can be applied. Alongside learning about 5G networks, companies should take data security more seriously.
5G and robotics may have arrived, but don’t panic. We still have a considerable amount of time to prepare for all the businesses, jobs, and life changes it will bring. Remember to start preparing now so that you can be well equipped when it is time