Robots at the Workplace: Should We Be Worried?
The idea of robots in the workplace might sound a bit out there and futuristic, but it is already happening. This article will discuss robots in the workplace, some of the advantages, and the potential issues that can arise.
The Future Is Already Here
The idea of having robots in the workplace is no longer just a wild dream like it once was. In fact, many companies have already started making a move forward. Amazon is one of the most well-known players in the eCommerce world and is also one of the most refreshing examples of a company that embraces the use of robots in the workplace.
Unlike what many Hollywood movies would tell us about robots, Amazon strongly believes in having both humans and robots work together to accomplish the same goal. It is probably not the best idea to let your judgment be clouded by how some of these movies portray the idea of robots in the future. Some people are also afraid of having robots in the workplace because they think all the human jobs will be replaced. At face value, that assumption may not be entirely accurate.
Is This Good or Bad?
It is easy to understand why some people are upset or threatened by the idea of having robots entering our workplaces. Humans have always been the dominant force in the work environment, and this is the first time people are having to challenge the concept of being replaced by a robot. There are some good things to consider about robots in the workplace, but there are also many problems or threats that could also arise.
Some advantages include:
- The cost of business can be lower since daily payment isn’t required.
- Robots don’t have emotions and can’t get tired as humans do.
- They are much more precise than the average human.
- Robots can operate in a variety of situations.
- They are more suitable for specific tasks or jobs.
Some disadvantages include:
- The potential for replacing human jobs is genuine.
- Robots may only be able to accomplish one specific task at a time.
- They can’t deal with unexpected situations.
- Robots lack of empathy can change the whole work environment.
- Basic machines can’t learn or think as humans can.
A Different Way of Thinking
Let’s face it — humans get tired, have emotions, can oversleep, and sometimes even feel like skipping out on work every once in a while. We all have our limits and sometimes our days don’t go as planned; thus our quality of work can decrease based on many variables. As you can imagine from the employer’s point of view, they want the highest quality work from their employees at all times. While that may be unrealistic to expect from a human, a robot does not suffer from these same issues that would hold them back.
Some jobs might require pinpoint precision accuracy, which is the perfect task for a robot since human error would no longer be a factor. For example, a surgeon would greatly benefit from this kind of excellent and precise movement from a robot. Many operations require a steady hand to be successful. Even the most professional surgeons can sometimes get nervous and make mistakes, which is why more robots are now being used in the medical field than ever before.
Do We Need To Worry?
The idea of having robots take over human jobs is a hotly debated topic, but there’s no doubt that the demand for robots in the workplace is real. Some companies are looking to run an utterly autonomous business in the future, such as Uber. That does not, however, represent the majority of workplaces at this time. In general, we should start thinking of having robots in the workplace as an extension to help benefit human productivity. Specific jobs or tasks are more suitable for robots to handle since they can operate in a variety of situations in many tricky environments. This also allows for the creation of new roles for the humans since they would no longer be needed for those particular situations.
It all depends on the industry, but it is more likely than not that most humans will just be reassigned to other positions in the company instead of being replaced. For example, restaurants and retail stores could benefit significantly from having robots. Tasks that are repetitive and mindless for a human, such as unloading products from delivery trucks, could be ideal for a robot to handle. These places of business need to receive product to stay operational. Having robots take care of the actual heavy lifting would be a significant benefit for the employees. They could instead spend that extra time with other tasks, such as making sure their customers are properly taken care of.
The Wrap-Up
There are still many people on the fence about the whole idea of robots entering our lives, for better or for worse. There is undoubtedly an unfortunate stigma that goes along with companies wanting to replace humans with machines, but at the same time, that can be a misunderstood idea. Many companies have stepped forward and stated that they want robots to be used in unison with humans for increased workplace productivity.
While the concerns about losing human jobs in the process might be real, there are also some advantages to embracing the very idea of robots in the workplace. For example, they do not have emotions that can negatively impact their work performance, which would increase daily productivity. Conversely, many of the most basic robots are only programmed to handle one specific task at any given time. This would not be ideal and would severely limit the robot’s flexibility. The future of robots in the workplace is still in the very early stages, so who knows how it might turn out!
What do you think about robots and AI in the workplace? Do you already have some in your field or office right now? Alternatively, do you think we will have a robot uprising like in the famous Will Smith movie I, Robot? Do share your thoughts and experiences here with the rest of us!
