The Worker-Extinction or Evolution?
By Elloise Alexander and Cameron Orrock
Should we be worried about AI taking our jobs?
A common worry is whether our world is rapidly being taken over by technology. The threat of a robot takeover is no longer something seen a sci-fi film, it’s real and it’s now. All over the world, robots are being manufactured to perfect all sorts of jobs. From Amazon workers to holographic stewardesses the sky is truly the limit for these robots, it shows that our planet is evolving but is our foray into robotics truly a positive thing? Currently, around the world people's jobs are being replaced by machines and it is looking like it’s only going to get worse.
AI has invaded our land and sea. The idea of replacing long haul drivers with robots has been put forward in America. The University of Michigan alongside Carnegie Mellon University have recently conducted a study, which estimated that up to 94% of operator hours would be affected and gives an estimate that over 500,000 truck drivers jobs in danger.
At sea, US marine company Ocean Infinity have developed vessels that can function without a crew and are controlled via satellite. Normally a ship could need to be crewed by up to 40 members, but these vessels have a maximum of 16 needed crewmembers. For now, they are only being deployed to offshore windfarm operator’s and to assist in the upkeep of oil rigs.
is it safer for robots to contribute to the upkeep of oil rigs?
AI has even affected our most delicate members of society. Researchers at the York institute for safe autonomy have developed a two-armed robot, designed to help a person get dressed. It was developed with the idea of implementing these robots into health care, but a demonstration has shown its unique and interesting way of learning. Rather than implementing an expert programme of data into the robot’s mind, it learns through human demonstration. The question remains, could it learn some of the bad human traits?
If human jobs weren’t enough, they’re even taken the jobs from our dogs! The University of Glasgow has developed a robotic guide dog. Robbie the Robodog, is a four-legged robot with a great similarity with NASA built moon robots. Its design features AI and sensory technology and it will be able to navigate, communicate and describe its surrounding environment. But will it foresee danger like a dog would? Will it be able to identify when it isn’t safe to cross the road? Only time will tell.
Amazon have implemented a two-meter-tall humanoid robot that is designed to haul boxes and work alongside humans… for now. Amazon claims it will not be a fully automated. According to Reuters, at least 20-24 human jobs will be replaced in each warehouse. Amazon is currently planning to bring new robotic system Sequoia to one of their own warehouses is Houston to speed up production.
AI and robotics even made an appearance Recently at the ITB Berlin travel exhibition, with the launch of a hologram stewardess. Sama, who can speak English and is currently learning Arabic, answers questions in real time and even has a back story. With a childhood, memories and a reason for its career choice in aviation. Is this a step too far? And if so, how could a hologram accommodate people and make their flight easier and more comfortable?
These technological advancements could be seen as a positive thing, but it also begs the question, with the potential for so many job losses, are we putting ourselves in danger of a technological takeover?