Automation and human labor

There has been an unprecedented growth in the manufacturing sector during last two decades. Adoption of technology, global reach, and faster communication is changing the way goods are manufactured, serviced and delivered. In many areas, a machine is not only replacing human labor, but it is also taking on cognitive skills. Automation has long term implications and apparently threatening joblessness of semi and unskilled workforces. It is, therefore, essential that automations are sustainable and able to create benefits for people.

Automation is going to change the fundamental way of agriculture, manufacturing, and supply chain management system works. To increase productivity, repeated, labor intensive jobs are going to be replaced by robots. In fact, automation will provide an opportunity to create innovative and more productive jobs for human resources. Adaptability and acquaintance with technology is the key. Labor and machines need not be considered as two opposite sides competing for each other. Coordinated and supportive frameworks to be worked out aiming at ceaseless integration of automation, productivity, and the creation of more jobs.

Information and communication technology has been the forerunner during the last decade in providing a technology solution in a most cost effective manner. Availability of data through high-speed communication link provided opportunity to analyze production, requirement and supply pattern, gap areas assessment. Big Data analyst is able to analyze a large volume of data and draw inferences

High-speed internet makes it possible to connect devices that can be controlled remotely. We have ushered-in to the era of Internet of Things (IoT), where each device, from a washing machine, coffee machine, lamp to car and jet engines is possible to be controlled over IoT. It is estimated that by 2020, over 26 billion devices will be connected to a giant network of connected things, including people. The relationship is going to be between machine-people, machine-machine, and people-people. In fact, IoT is going to be an integral part in designing smart cities shortly.

Technology driven manufacturing units can be powerful drivers of economic opportunity and improved well-being. Various industries across the globe are adopting the new technologies for higher efficiency and performance, lower manufacturing cost. Machines can reduce risk in a hazardous workplace and improve the effectiveness. However, they also carry a host risks for people and business, especially in the form of elimination of a vast number of jobs. Structural job reduction in noticed in many industries across the globe. Maximum impact is generally on semi and unskilled labours, who make up a substantial portion of the workforce in manufacturing and agricultural sector.

Answer the following questions from the above passage

Question-1 – how automation is threatening the jobs of semi skilled works?

Question2- how automation and human labour can work together?

Question 3- In what way internet of things is going to bring change in life of an individual?

Question 4-list down the benefits of the of machines at work place.