Robots and technology are taking over American jobs

It should come as no surprise that many of today’s jobs are starting to be replaced or aided by robots and technological advancements.

This accelerating rise in robot labor has led many economists, futurists and entrepreneurs to worry about the future of human workers.

Throughout history, innovation in technology has worked hand in hand with human productivity while simultaneously creating jobs.

Recent advancements in automation software technology and highly functioning robots have decreased the necessity for human laborers in many occupations.

From the self-service checkout lines in grocery stores, movie theaters and airports to the robots that are able to fully assemble automobiles, these highly intelligent machines have surpassed their original purpose of assisting humans with their jobs and have begun to take them over.

Automation isn’t just revolutionizing work in factories but artificial intelligence software is now able to scan and read stacks of documents, eliminating work which was previously performed by highly paid professionals.
Not only are robots in some ways cheaper for companies in the long run, they are also able to work much longer hours without taking breaks or decreasing their productivity.

According to a study by MIT economist David Autor, “certain occupations that consist of routine tasks are more vulnerable to [being replaced by] automation.”

General Motors strictly uses robots to lay a bead of sealant on windshields, because humans simply cannot compete with these automated perfectionists on at the same level of quality and precision.
Surgeons across the nation are beginning to use robotic systems to perform a wide variety of operations.

One of the most recent innovations dealing with technology and doctors is the use of global-positioning satellite systems (GPS) technology to help brain surgeons.
“A device called the Stealth Station is making brain surgery safer” said Neurosurgeon Dr. Bruce Jaufmann, with First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
This device uses the same technology as GPS devices to located where the tip of a probe should go during a brain surgery.

These robots’ precision allows for a faster patient recovery time and less surgical complications.

Another example in a California hospital includes a fleet of robots that carries food to patients, blood samples to labs and linens to the laundry.
They are even able to fill prescriptions.

Despite these encroaching progressions in technology, Kevin Kelly at Wired Magazine says we should not be too worried and that we should embrace our new robot “overlords”.
Some USD students tend to agree. “Although it may seem like a threat, robots can do a lot of good for society” said sophomore Sarah Reinke.

“They will do jobs we have been doing, and do them much better than we can. They will do jobs we can’t do at all. They will do jobs we never imagined even needed to be done. [But] they will [also] help us discover new jobs for ourselves, new tasks that expand who we are” sad Kelly.

Despite the robots’ abilities to improve and speed up many jobs, these technological advancements may end up costing hundreds of people their jobs.

USD students are nervous about the effect these robots will have on jobs that could potentially be theirs after graduation.

“The place that technology is at right now is obviously making many jobs more efficient. I do, however, think that there is a serious cost with these ‘robots’ because it will cause many people to become unemployed” said sophomore Lauren Hoover.

New technology certainly has its perks but there will continue to be controversy and concern over the robots that have begun to take over our economy and job market.

Recent advancements in automation software technology and highly functioning robots have decreased the necessity for human laborers in many occupations that we are familiar with today.

From the self-service checkout lines in grocery stores, movie theaters and airports to the robots that are able to fully assemble automobiles, these highly intelligent machines have surpassed their original purpose of assisting humans with their jobs and have begun to take them over.

Automation isn’t just revolutionizing work in factories but artificial intelligence software is now able to scan and read stacks of documents, eliminating work which was previously performed by highly paid professionals.

Not only are robots in some ways cheaper for companies in the long run, they are also able to work much longer hours without taking breaks or decreasing their productivity.

According to a study by MIT economist David Autor, “certain occupations that consist of routine tasks are more vulnerable to [being replaced by] automation.”

General Motors strictly uses robots to lay a bead of sealant on windshields, because humans simply cannot compete with these automated perfectionists on at the same level of quality and precision.

Surgeons across the nation are beginning to use robotic systems to perform a wide variety of operations.

One of the most recent innovations dealing with technology and doctors is the use of global-positioning satellite systems (GPS) technology to help brain surgeons.

“A device called the Stealth Station is making brain surgery safer” said Neurosurgeon Dr. Bruce Jaufmann, with First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

This device uses the same technology as GPS devices to located where the tip of a probe should go during a brain surgery.

These robots’ precision allows for a faster patient recovery time and less surgical complications.

Another example in a California hospital includes a fleet of robots that carries food to patients, blood samples to labs and linens to the laundry. They are even able to fill prescriptions.

Despite these encroaching progressions in technology, Kevin Kelly at Wired Magazine says we should not be too worried and that we should embrace our new robot “overlords”.

“They will do jobs we have been doing, and do them much better than we can. They will do jobs we can’t do at all. They will do jobs we never imagined even needed to be done. [But] they will [also] help us discover new jobs for ourselves, new tasks that expand who we are” sad Kelly.

Despite the robots’ abilities to improve and speed up many jobs, these technological advancements may end up costing hundreds of people their jobs.

USD students are nervous about the effect these robots will have on jobs that could potentially be theirs after graduation.

“The place that technology is at right now is obviously making many jobs more efficient. I do, however, think that there is a serious cost with these ‘robots’ because it will cause many people to become unemployed” said sophomore Lauren Hoover.

New technology certainly has its perks but there will continue to be controversy and concern over the robots that have begun to take over our economy and job market.