The article below questions whether we need to fear automation and the presumption that it will inevitably lead to an ever diminishing need for humankind.
Automation will play a crucial role in plugging the ever widening skills shortages in manufacturing. There is an unprecedented skills shortage in the US (where this article originates) but the condition is reflected worldwide.
The Covid 19 pandemic hasn’t helped and has put an even greater strain on labour shortages in worldwide manufacturing.
So is it possible to transition to an automated future without harming the employment prospects of millions? Read on
Pricewaterhouse Cooper advises that manufacturers should increase their use of automation to reduce the numbers needed on the factory floor.
According to Euromonitor this is already underway, with a third of respondents reporting that they will be accelerating investment in this way.
This could be seen as the inevitable reduction in demand for human input. However, that is too simplistic, according to this article and there are a number of factors that could mean that the human interface will change rather than become redundant. See more here.