Robot challenge to humans no real threat, study finds

The world is changing. Business needs to start planning now

DESPITE rapid advancement of technology and automation in the global workspace, a future in which the human component of the workforce becomes obsolete is not on the cards.

This was the message from recent research by Price waterhouse Coopers (PwC), which was presented to staff and business leaders at the PwC office in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

The research, which was started in 2007 and involved about 10 000 people globally, indicated that automation processes were more likely to help than replace employees by 2030, but that companies had to prepare for the changes this could bring to the work environment.

“Thinking machines are starting to replace human tasks which means a huge change for the organisational structure [of businesses] and the kind of talent they need,” Maura Jarvis, associate director at PwC, said.

“The world is changing faster than ever before. Business needs to start planning now.”

Jarvis said the study suggested that business was moving towards augmented intelligence, where humans and machines interact to perform a task, but that autonomous intelligence would be the next stage.

“We’d still need people to test and develop technology, but soft skills such as negotiation and creativity will become more important as automation takes away the more repetitive tasks.”

Another survey by PwC, polling nearly 1 400 chief executives in 79 countries, indicated that 77% of them found it difficult to source talent with these creative skills, with leadership, problem-solving and adaptability listed as the most scarce skills.

“Autonomous intelligence cannot be used where it is uneconomical, it cannot replace artists and craftsmen and it cannot perform unpredictable human tasks,” Jarvis said.

“There will always be jobs, such as psychologists or masseuses, where we will want a human component rather than a robot.”

Attendees questioned whether the country’s education system was developing the necessary human skills, but Jarvis said businesses had to play a role as well.

“When ATMs were created, there was no reduction in jobs. Tellers had to learn to do different jobs,” he said.

“The workforce is getting older as well, because [if people live to 100] those who would have retired by 60 have to work longer.

“The onus on business is developing the talent that is already part of their workforce.

“The future is not all doom and gloom, but we will need to make sure we have the right skills in place.”