When news organizations regularly use automation as a fear tactic for cheap clicks, you have to dig deeper.
Robots may take some jobs, but consumers will profit from cheaper services. Once ride-sharing companies enact autonomous vehicles, they can slash human capital costs— with one study showing that could reduce fares up to 80 percent.
Automating jobs can result in more of those jobs. Amazon has increased robot workers from 1,400 three years ago to 45 thousand today. Over the same period, Amazon’s workers numbered 90 thousand to 360,000.
Robots haven’t stolen these jobs; they’ve attracted more. More automation means lower costs, which drives demand. Amazon needs human workers to provide oversight. Watch this video if you think robots will take your job.
When companies make more money, they can afford to pay workers more. Those whose jobs are displaced usually make more money than their previous position.
Automation also provides better customer service. Self-checkouts decimate long lines and allow workers to help customers find items and answer questions, instead of initiating awkward small talk at the register.
Jobs Destroyed
At one time, someone was employed to fill gas tanks and press elevator buttons. Although these jobs were automated, new work was created. About ⅓ of current U.S jobs didn’t exist 25 years ago (higher paying jobs in technology).
Automation can also replace dangerous work such as warehouse jobs and surveying roof replacement. This lowers prices through fewer workman compensation lawsuits.
The U.S. Needs Automation
The U.S birth rate fell to a 32-year low in 2018. The U.S must either augment automation or increase immigration to fill the workforce gap.
This means that future workers should be paid more, while businesses will be more productive with fewer workers. That’s a win-win for all involved.