Your next full-time employee could be a robot.

Robots, automation, and other digital technologies are expected to displace most of the current workforce. Every industry will be affected, from retirement residences to factories, schools and hospitals, says Bartosz Bos, a 3D Printing Consultant.

Robots are going to replace jobs, but it is not all doom and gloom. For every job a robot replaces, two more could be created, said Bos during Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s 2017 State of the Island Economic Summit.

Two more people will have to work in the background to maintain the robot with maintenance, programming and development, says Bos. His presentation was part of the Summit’s Futurescape session, which examined how exponential technologies will impact business, economy, and way of life.

Bos predicted developing relationships with robots is going to be important. In addition, people will need to recognize that robots are partners, not slaves.

There are two diverging views when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI): either it will help humans or it will enslave humans.

Bos pointed out there is currently zero quality control for people programming AI and it can be as biased as the creators who write it. To counter this, there needs to be a worldwide standard or prime directive governing artificial intelligence.

He said no one right now is imagining the worst scenario, but if something isn’t done to mitigate the risk, a bleak future could be on the horizon. In addition, everyone must prepare for a future of constant change where no one knows what is coming.

He recommended changed attitudes, including:

Thinking globally;

No longer equating success and profit; and

Considering how today’s actions will affect future generations.

We are on the cusp of the fifth industrial revolution, said Graham Truax, Executive in Residence of Innovation Island, the venture acceleration program of BC Innovation Council.

Truax said society is currently only hitting 18 percent of the digital potential for technologies in traditional non-tech industries. Increasing use of these digital technologies could add 1.6 billion to the economy.

Truax acknowledged rapid development of technologies will create exponential challenges and opportunities, as technology becomes increasingly powerful and smaller.

The next wave of opportunities is divided into five sectors said Traux:

Virtual and augmented reality;

5th generation mobile;

3D printing;

Blockchain; and

Artificial intelligence.