For the past few years in supermarkets, we can see a growing number of automatic cashiers. This is one of many examples of the impact of the automation in our society because of robots and the artificial intelligence. Public opinions are divided between fear and excitement for new opportunities.
Is my job safe?
In the past, many studies exaggerated by predicting the death of human’s jobs and every activity will be controlled by robots so as to the humankind will only have a life of leisure. Thus, in the last 60 years automation has only eliminated one work: elevator operators. However, today’s technological revolution pace is much higher than any revolution in the past. According to Martin Ford, futurist and author of Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future, predicts higher risks “are on some level routine, repetitive and predictable”. Telemarketing, tax preparation, cahier, loan officer, taxi drivers have more the 90% chance of automation.
On the contrary, the safest jobs are clergy, physician, surgeon, dietitian, nutritionist and social workers. The safest job area is ones which requires a genuine creativity (artist, scientist, new business strategy…). Professor Richard Susskind, author of the Future of the Professions and Tomorrow’s Lawyers, believes it is becoming very hard to predict a career on the long-run, around 15 years. Furthermore, 2020s won’t be a decade of high unemployment rate but of redeployment: “Machines are already doing things we thought only humans might be able to: composing original music for example.”
How to be prepared for this new revolution?
Don’t worry, you have time to prepare yourself to face this shift! Everything won’t disappear tomorrow. First, you need to know which kind of job area may no longer recruiting in 10 or 15 years according to the Guardian. Then the better strategy is to diversify your “portfolio” of skills. In 20 years, for the youngers of us, we may should have several jobs for different companies around the world. Companies will seek people with various skills such as flexible business communication skills. Think out of the box, manage your small business and imagine which kind of new skills you want to learn.
