BY: Takudzwa Pascor Feso
In as much as technology is important, it is adversely affecting the number of people employed in the world. Many companies are moving from labor to capital intensive so as to save on labor costs. For example, Wal-Mart is substituting it's shop assistances (cashiers) with self-service machines; most gas stations these days are self-service yet 20 or 30 years ago, there were people employed to serve customers. We can also take a look on the introduction of driverless cars. That means drivers will be substituted very soon and that will be another reduction in the employment. However, the manufacturers of these cars argue that driverless cars are not meant to replace drivers, but, if the car can drive itself why would I employ a driver?
With the introduction of robots, it looks like doctors and other people who work in the manufacturing industries will lose their jobs very soon. The way technology is evolving, in some years to come, robots will do surgeries. I personally think that the politicians, lawyers, investors, consultants and other people who do such kind of jobs are the only ones whose employment is less affected. I cannot imagine a robot campaigning to be the president. Well, someone can argue that people such as Computer Scientists will still maintain their jobs too because they are the people who program those robots. But, technology will still be evolving; what if there will be a robot that can do that job, that is, to program other robots? That means even the people who manufacture robots will still have a risk of losing their jobs.
Great points here Mr. Feso. It is true as technology evolves it with undoubtedly replace jobs. In fact, we have seen this happen over the last 30 years already. We have also seen many different types of jobs created along with the technology. They do not always replace each other job for job, but this is nothing new necessarily. People lose jobs to evolution in every generation. People will have to think ahead and change to new times, which I think will happen over time.
ReplyDeleteI agree also that technology will soon take over the jobs now. Service jobs and simple jobs will soon become obsolete. I believe that this is a good change but may be hard for society to come to terms with. The economy will have to re adjust to cater these new jobless workers, and the manufacturing of these "robots".
ReplyDeleteMr. Feso I definitely agree with you with the fact that Technology is replacing some of the jobs. The reason why I love technology is that it is efficient compared to human labor. Machines operate for 24 hours in 7 days a week therefore this can be cheaper than paying that rate to a person working that same type. However I strongly disagree in the fact that only people in the computer industry will be the ones maintaining their jobs because there are some jobs which require a lot of human labor and intellectual a for example doctors. But generally, technology is taking over many jobs and even the "Big 4 Accounting Firms" which were know for recruiting many Accounting students are now recruiting more computer science students.
ReplyDeleteAs individuals soon entering the workforce, this is definitely something that we will have to continue to monitor over the next few years. Although currently it may seem that blue collar or "lower-tier" jobs such as chauffeur services and manufacturing, I totally believe that there will be technology that arises that can affect business professions as well, such as consulting or accounting. IT seems that the motive behind making these devices and programs is to eliminate human error, and ultimately that may result in eliminating humans completely.
ReplyDeleteYour post definitely makes me contemplate how I can further my computer science skills, or at least integrate them into what I am learning with my focus in business. I definitely want to take more classes with focuses in coding, but I believe our MIS class is a great place to start. Here, we are learning about the absolute power and potential of technology. Once we understand its influence, we can hone skills and understand how to use it.
Technology has created a work environment which requires constant growth from employers. Technology provides and efficient solution to a number of problems in the work place and employers are beginning to realize this. I agree with Gaelen when he says it will force people to further their computer science skills and be able to integrate them into whatever field they decide to work in.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the thought of this may be scary, at the same time its more efficient. When you think about it robots don't have the same wants and needs as humans. For example they don't get lazy, they don't need breaks, and you will always get the same effort out of them every time.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel that the advancements in technology is leading to the decrease in jobs available for people. At the same time, I don't really feel that this is a bad thing. Ida company can decrease their expenses by using advanced technology, then why should they not be able to make the most out of their business? I feel that we have plenty of jobs that can't necessarily be done by technology but needs more of human supervision that will be available for them.
ReplyDeleteInnovation has made a workplace which obliges steady development from managers. Innovation gives and effective answer for various issues in the work spot and managers are starting to understand this. I think it will compel individuals to further their software engineering aptitudes and have the capacity to coordinate them into whatever field they choose to work in.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that the increase in technology has lead to some positions becoming obsolete. Nonetheless, its important to realize that business acts not primarily to provide employment, instead its goal is to maximize profits and efficiency. Karl Marx once said that man does not act in his own self interest, instead he helps others by extension by helping themselves. With that being said, I don't think the technology is ' stealing jobs' instead it inspires human innovation and ingenuity. The beauty of man is that we are able to adapt and evolve when we need to. I think of technology more so as a challenge of sorts. The new task of humans is staying relevant in the workplace. In other words, how do we make ourselves an integral part of the workforce, such that we can't be replaced. Humans do have value to add in every industry in some way that we can make it better. Once we find that, there is nothing to worry about.
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