Man and Robot – a Relationship (Without) a Future?
The number of companies that have placed a stronger bet on automation over the past twelve months has doubled – according to this year's Deloitte report. The increasingly common collaboration between humans and machines is changing the nature of work. In theory, it is meant to be easier, faster and more efficient, but an analysis by the University of Illinois shows that robots, aside from making work easier, can also make it harder. Experts at Personnel Service point out that the challenge for companies implementing automation is finding a balance between human and machine work.
Automation significantly increases companies' profitability – productivity rises while costs fall. Robots can also relieve employees of monotonous tasks, giving people room for more creative and developmental work. However, researchers at the University of Illinois see certain risks. According to them, automation can affect the comfort and quality of work. Machines can monitor an employee's productivity in real time.
- Introducing innovation into a company involves reorganising the existing mode of work. Employees must get used to a new situation in which some of their previous duties are taken over by machines. This is of course a major challenge, but also an opportunity for companies. It is important to manage the process in such a way as to find new tasks for employees and use their potential in areas where machines will not replace them. After all, employees are the most important asset in any company, and automation will not change that any time soon – says Krzysztof Inglot, President of Personnel Service.
Productivity Above All
Productivity Above All
Deloitte estimated that over the next three years automation will increase employee productivity by as much as 27%. This is of course a major business benefit, but also a challenge, because according to the report by University of Illinois researchers, technology can intensify work in two ways. First, it will reduce the number of human interactions, and second, it will allow a high degree of monitoring of the tasks performed. Machines are already able, especially in factories, to control every movement of employees, e.g. through sensors that measure the time needed to perform a given activity. This information is then analysed and evaluated. Comparing the results achieved by individual employees can consequently lead to setting more ambitious goals to achieve. This in turn means an increase in the pace and accuracy of work, which affects the level of stress among employees.
Qualifications must keep up with the times
Qualifications Must Keep Up with the Times
The automation of processes is associated with the risk of reducing the number of positions. However, the conclusions here are reassuring – University of Illinois scientists say that although the impact of innovation on employment is inevitable, in the near future new technologies will not cause job losses on a large scale. They will, however, change its nature. Automation and robotisation increase demand for specialist positions. Newly created jobs will require high competence, which is why it is so important to give employees the chance to learn new skills that would allow them to do work in which robots cannot replace them.
- The most susceptible to automation and robotisation are repetitive activities performed in a stable environment. These include basic office tasks such as accounting or data administration, as well as physical work, e.g. in the manufacturing industry. Machines are increasingly taking over from people in logistics and trade as well. As a result of digital transformation, many new professions will emerge, but we are not yet able to predict exactly which ones. Service professions requiring specialist knowledge should develop, e.g. repairs, programming, project management or teaching. Among the professions of the future we will find, for example, a robot trainer or a smart city designer – says Mariusz Gołębiewski, Vice President of Abile.
Summary
Automation increases companies' profitability, but it also carries risks – from monitoring employees to pressure on productivity. Deloitte estimates that in three years productivity will rise by 27%, while Illinois scientists warn of growing stress. Experts emphasise that the key is retraining staff, avoiding mass layoffs and developing professions that require human competences.
