AI
I searched the
“future” and “AI” tags and read the article titled “What Will the Future of
Work Look Like?”, which discusses the various Industrial Revolutions throughout
history and what is to be expected from the current changes. Over the past 260
years, there were three revolutions, those involving steam power, electric
powered mass production, and computers, but we are currently experiencing the
fourth, which is the rise of artificial intelligence. This revolution is
happening 10 times faster than the previous three, and could potentially result
in significant changes to the workforce. The article states that about 375
million people globally would need to find a new job by 2030 due to the rise of
AI in various types of work. These changes are occurring for both blue and
white collar professionals because there are several jobs in the middle class
that can be performed by technology. A study by an economist named Carl
Benedikt Frey shows that approximately 47% of US, 69% of Indian, and 77% of
Chinese jobs are at risk of automation, or the idea of completing/producing
something multiple times without the need for human interaction. There are
several proposed ideas in order to slow automation and make up for the loss of
employee taxation, such as imposition of a robot tax like in South Korea, and
altering the traditional work week schedule, but the general population trends
can be used to predict what could occur in the future when it comes to work and
technology. Jobs that require human interaction, like teachers, for example,
would prove to be more important, because they are jobs that robots could not
complete. However, on a more positive note, it is expected that the jobs that will
be created will be more than those destroyed by technological advancements in
the workplace. There will be a greater need for professions in the fields of
healthcare and medicine in 2030 due to the amount of people that would be near
and over the age of 65 at that time. However, proper changes in training are
proving to be incredibly important, because without it, unemployment could rise
and salaries would drop.
ROBOTICS
I chose the article "5 Major Robotics Trends to Watch for in 2019" because I thought it would be
interesting to reflect on the advancements made in the past year based on
predictions previously made. These advancements were discussed in regards to
fields like healthcare and distribution, among others, due to the need for repetition
in production and manufacturing. Among the different types of robotic
advancements discussed, such as cobots, those that work in conjunction with
humans in the workplace, the one prediction that stuck out to me was the use of
robots for deliveries. They are used in workplaces for small package
deliveries, as well as larger indoor spaces like warehouses, but the advancement
called Nuro made in Arizona by Google engineers is a delivery service that uses
robotics to bring fresh groceries and temperature sensitive foods to consumers.
This, as well as Google’s autonomous taxis in Phoenix, are noted to work due to
the grid-like streets of the area.
3D PRINTING
The article "DIY Market Slows Dramatically as 3-D Printing Hits Its Industrial Stride" discussed the use of 3D printing in for hobbyist
and do it yourself individuals in terms of the advancements the technology was
experiencing in professional and industrial settings. The consulting and
research firm Wohlers Associates reported that 3-D printing goods and services
reached $2.2 billion in 2012, which is “a compounded annual growth rate of almost
29 percent…[from] 2011” (Wohler Associates). They go on to discuss that
approximately 6.5% of the 3-D printing machines sold were those geared towards hobbyist
and crafters, which indicates a decrease for this market segment from the
previous spike. Professional markets, however, exhibit surges in the buying of
these products, with products transcending specific fields or uses, most
notably for pieces in jet engines and hip replacements. Because of the nearly
limitless avenues the professional landscape has for 3D-printing uses, the
report states that this service and product will become larger and more
important in the years to come, which was clearly proven to be true with the
advancements made revolving around 3-D printing since the article was written.
Sources:
Marr, Bernard. "5
Major Robotics Trends To Watch For in 2019." Forbes, 8 Mar. 2019,
forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/03/08/5-major-robotics-trends-to-watch-for-in-2019/#4d9177b05650.
Accessed 11 Jan. 2020.
Wired. Conde Nast, 24 May
2013,
www.wired.com/2013/05/3d-printing-hits-its-industrial-stride-while-the-diy-market-slows-dramatically/.
Accessed 13 Jan. 2020.
Comments:
To Manon:
The first article you talked about got my attention because
I own a Google Home. These technologies are become more and more prevalent in
homes and can monitor just about everything going on in the space when
connected and controlled properly. This type of advancement is really
intriguing to me, because it seems almost futuristic in that we as humans don’t
have to put as much effort into things like checking the weather, setting reminders,
and controlling different aspects of our houses like temperature and lighting.
At the same time, it’s also somewhat haunting to think about the trust and
control we put into technology and the amount of personal information they
store.
To Ina:
I really enjoyed reading about your discussion regarding
technological advancements and structures. It’s always really interesting for
me to hear about the different inspirations behind design ideas, so hearing
about the use of airplanes from World War II in the design process is so
intriguing. That example really shows how new design and be influenced by older
pieces that don’t even necessarily have to be taken from other architectural pieces.
To Michael:
I like how you talked about the positive and negative
affects of technology in the schools and other learning environments. When I
was first reading your post, I was questioning the positives because of the
negative affects of technology that you talked about, such as self-esteem
issues. I think it’s definitely important to monitor and use the technology in
a way that is aimed towards bettering students’ learning because the tone of
the use of such technology can be skewed and changed very quickly.
7 comments:
Amanda
I am very intrigued by the amount of people that are at risk of losing their job to robots, hopefully I am not one of them. I always wonder however, what will that unemployed person do? Because there has to be a job somewhere they can do. Also do you think that this many jobs will be taken quickly or slowly? Because the us, china, and india have billions of people, it could take a while. I also never would have guessed that hobbyists are being challenged by 3d printing , I found that amusing.
I find cobots to be a very important and necessary part of the world. They are able to do the repetitious and monotonous work in production and manufacturing as you mentioned. This will allow the workers to focus on more important matters. The advancement to delivery robots is a fascinating subject. As a starter, this would allow the deliveries to be quicker. I am excited to see the progression of this type of delivery system.
Amanda,
I find your post about Robotics and AI very interesting. When Robotics is the topic being discussed it is usually hard to differentiate it from the conversation of unemployment. Hence, I agree with the point you made that "proper changes in training are proving to be incredibly important, because without it, unemployment could rise and salaries would drop". I got a glimpse of this situation when I was on winter break in St. John's, NL, where services like Uber and Grubhub were not available due to the need to minimize competition for local brands, and also party due to the fact that most of the population is over the age of 45. This decision definitely keeps the flow of money in check, but limits the ability to track a ride or the options to choose a place to eat. As long as robotics and smart technology influence our society, we need to prepare to stay ahead of it by improving our current systems in place without compromising on benefits.
Amanda,
I found your Artificial Intelligence section interesting with how it will bring more jobs in. My thought process is that with robotics and AI taking over the jobs that are generally held by humans, they will simply replace them. The ordinary human rely on some of these construction jobs, and if they lose it then they would not have the experience to work elsewhere. It would force people to go into college, but with my experiences with my friends, school is not for everyone. In my opinion it will make the rich richer but the poor poorer. I personally think unemployment would rise dramatically. I do however, believe robotics and AI would benefit the building industry, and would provide efficient solutions.
Amanda,
I read the article about 3D printing and your summary. One of my best friends has a small 3D printer (12in x 12in x 8in space available). My favorite things to use it for is to make DnD miniature figures to use when we play together or for small props we need for whatever theatre production we're working on at the time. In the last 5 years there has definitely been a rise in hobbyist 3D printing and they've gotten to be much more affordable than when they first came out. I don't think I'll get one anytime soon, but I am very excited to see what new developments are made (both in industries and for hobbyists).
I really like the article that you picked to talk about AI. It is a major concern and there is a lot of talk in the world about how rapidly the workforce needs change and how the "revolution" going to influence unemployment. The other side of the problem is how the education needs to be modernized in order to fulfill the new changes and demands. It is an interesting time we are all living in.
Amanda,
As your article about AI mentioned, 375 million people would loose jobs by 2030 due to the rise in AI. My articles were also about automation's effects on the workforce, and I think that it is something that should definitely be considered. The robot tax is interesting because it kind of hinders innovation. I understand its purpose but how is a country or industry supposed to grow and compete without increasing efficiency and doing things faster and better? At the end you mentioned that proper changes in training are important, and I think that is definitely key. If you provide training or other ways for employees to potentially get a new job before there's is taken over by robots, it would most likely slow the rise of unemployment.
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