Thanks to a technological and digital revolution, the workforce has dramatically changed the last 50 years. Once upon a time jobs advertised in the paper included, typists, operators, technicians, etc. At the present time, the jobs required in the marketplace include webmasters, LAN operators, help desk technicians, programmers, developers and others. These days most applicants are now searching and applying for jobs through world wide web.

With the automation trend making its way into the workforce apprehension and concerns are rising about a machine doing the work of regular people. According to a Statista report in the United States (U.S) technology as it progresses it runs a viable risk of eliminating jobs in a number of cities across the country.

So what are the top cities with high risk of automation? In this visualization here are the cities ranked:

Fresno 53.8 percent

Las Vegas 49.1 percent

Greensboro 48.5 percent

Reading 48.4 percent

Grand Rapids 47.9 percent

Oklahoma City 47.1 percent

Harrisburg 47.1 percent

Los Angeles 47 percent

Regardless of the above numbers a similar report by Statista titled “Fear thy Robot: Chances of Workers Being Replaced by Automation Vary by Country” not all professions will be that easily replaced by a robot or an algorithm. In low or semi-skilled professions those run the risk of falling victim to technology.

The industry of robotics is not only growing in the U.S, but around the globe as well. A PR Newswire news release confirmed that Allied Market Research indicated the global robotics technology market is expected to reach $82.7 billion by the year 2020 growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.11 percent during 2014 to 2020. Industries to be significantly affected by global robotics technology include healthcare, aerospace, automotive, electronics, etc.

When it comes down to it cannot be race between technology and replacing ordinary human beings. It is paramount that investments are made towards improving the working conditions of the workforce and not about minimizing expenses or just using bottom line as justification for mass technology adoption.

Pew Survey Highlights Public growing Concern Around Automation

Not too long ago the Pew Research Center (PRC) conducted a survey to gage the public sentiment in terms of their reactions towards automation. As it turns out the assumptions of a robot takeover are very much alive. As reported by the PRC in a national study it determined that 65 percent of Americans expect robots and computers to do work they do today.

What did 65 percent or two-thirds Americans actually respond to automation? Exactly 50 percent of respondents said automation will probably happen and 15 percent believe it will definitely happen within the next five decades. These findings were extracted from a sample of 2,001 U.S adults.

Do the attitudes vary depending on the sector? The results happen to differ since workers in government, education and nonprofit are skeptical that automation will invade the workforce.

Even though efficiency and accuracy will be gained still there are things technology will not be able to replicate. For example, everyday human to human exchanges that take place in just about any work setting cannot be replicated by a robot. As Jackpot.co.uk points out in a blog post with regards to robots coming to casinos there would be gains to using them, but a loss of human interactions — not to mention the inability to analyze the psychological profile of players or gamblers.

Machines Poised to Transform Management Roles and The Arrival of the Robot Boss

Compared to the last few decades the workplace is slowly but surely getting a makeover. Once upon nobody could have anticipated for computers to become so predominantly used at the office. There are signs where managerial positions are going to be turning to intelligent machines to carry out the basic tasks managers have to do on daily basis.

In detailed and short report by Accenture the following activities will change with automation: coordinating processes, monitoring performance, and scheduling resources. In other words, very sophisticated and smart machines will carry out these tasks allowing managers to really focus primarily on business goals. Furthermore, 84 percent of managers at all levels believe machines will render them more effective along with work becoming more interesting, conforming to the results.

What might sound like a “Back to the Future” or “I, Robot” film may come true with the leaps and bounds reached by technology nowadays. In a Marketwatch.com report robots are already performing a good percentage of the lower-level tasks and especially a growing trend in global industrial robotics.

Takeaways and Conclusions

The increase adoption of the automation process will not be a fad or a temporary trend. This is as a result of the evolution of the marketplace dynamics and the constant developments influencing technological advancements.

Robotics is a set to grow to a billion-dollar industry and we can also include industrial robotics. As the above graphic research shows articulated robotics market revenue is expected to obtain $41.2 billion by the year 2020. Automation needs to be about improving the working conditions and not about eliminating the human factor from the equation.

A balance must be reached, which includes a sound economic plan that helps the business boom and likewise allow for technology to evolve without compromising or sacrificing the individual.