Technology has dramatically changed our world and almost every aspect of our day-to-day lives. Nevertheless, to some scholars, the systems brought by technology have also become sources of debate concerning employment. Are they tools that facilitate job searches or do they create unemployment? The solution to this question depends on the way communities behave in response to the changes.
Which Occupations Have Been Most Affected by Automation?
Automation is probably one of the most cited topics in terms of literature and even focus on advanced agricultural research and literature. In this day and age, machines, software, and algorithms are taking over many manual and repetitive tasks. For example, plants which rely on robots can have their assembly lines work more quickly and effectively than humans. In the same manner, AI can also take care of administrative functions such as scheduling and data entry.
In as much as the potential for increased productivity exists in automation, there is the downside of having low-skilled employment opportunities at stake. Take for instance the case of a supermarket at which self-service checkout points enable customers to finish up their shopping without an attendant. To add insult to injury, the introduction of self-driving vehicles has also virtually put the trucking and taxi business at risk. As a consequence, the worry many have today is that the promotion of automation will ultimately translate to large-scale unemployment.
The number of data scientists has rapidly grown as they are responsible for processing and strategising with the clearly abundant but unorganised data.
Read more- Gautam Gambhir Abrasive Nature
Upskilling and Education: Preparing for the Future of Work
Workers need to acquire new skills in order to remain competitive. Upskilling and reskilling are now the new normal where the pace of technological growth outpaces any development.
In addition, technology can be a source of education. Coursera and Udemy are some of the online spaces, which allow users to take lessons in courses of their interest at affordable prices. One can now learn skills in coding, digital marketing, graphic designing and other in high demand fields that have been previously out of reach. As more individuals develop such ability, the levels of out seeking and available opportunities become closer and closer together.
The Gig Economy: Technology’s Impact on Traditional Employment
Technology has also altered employment in another way, and that way is different forms of employment styled as a gig economy. Uber and Airbnb are also known to offer such forms of employment that are entirely different from traditional jobs that people are used to. Such forms of work are convenient for people, as they do not require working for long hours and are beneficial in a way that people get to connect with the clients.
Gig work certainly comes with its bouts of flexibility and ease. However, it’s quite the opposite of a lit experience. Those who partake in gig work usually have little to no income security along with basic benefits such as health insurance or retirement funds which regular jobs provide. As a result, gig work ends up being viewed as precarious work by some because there is no job security which mostly comes from working regular hours.
This is very useful to people who may be able to seek full time work due to geographical constraints, caring for people, or health issues. The so called gig economy has brought people in the working scene who otherwise would not be able to.
The Future of Employment Within Technology
Moving forward, it is clear that technology is going to be a prominent catalyst in the evolution of work patterns and practices. At the same time, workers must adjust and learn to adapt as they must constantly update their skill set in order to be competitive in a highly volatile work environment.
Conclusion
The influence of technology on employment is a complex one. Education, flexibility and a willingness to learn and implement technologies – that’s the secret to adjusting to such changes. In the future, technology can positively affect the world of work, making it possible to do a lot more interesting and useful things than before. Click here for the source