Workplace Automation is Common, and It’s Not Just About Robots

Workplace automation is a natural transition of workload distribution. About a century ago, people were not used to automation as we are now. The history of automation in the workplace dates back to the 1900s. Factory workers experienced mass layoffs which created a ripple effect in the economy. But is it at all uncommon anymore? By 2030, approximately 30% of jobs could become automatable. The industrial control and automation market is estimated to surge by almost 340 billion US dollars by 2026. This makes it an approximate annual growth of 9%.

Over the years, robots have become more sentient and often outperformed manual labour. Thinking about robots should not limit to anthropomorphic machines. Even the bots assisting you in online shopping portals are a kind of robot. The technology that utilises artificial intelligence, machine learning and interactive data exchange is the driving force behind automation.

Familiarising With the New Normal

It is often thought that automation affects low-wage workers only. However, that is not the case. In this day and age, workplace automation can affect workers of all strata, irrespective of their wages. The purpose of a machine is not to take over jobs but to give more efficient output in the workplace with minimum errors. Hence, the use of machines does not depend on the level of difficulty but on the decision-making roles.

For example, robot waiters are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, but that does not mean human servers are replaceable. While robots can take customer input and serve them accordingly, they lack the sentience and empathy involved in human interaction.

What does automation in workplaces look like?

Robots are not the face of workplace automation. It is a common misconception that workplace automation refers to complex machinery and out-of-the-world concepts. Workplace automation includes digital tools to assist employees in performing better. The goal is to improve business outcomes.

Here are some common examples of workplace automation.

The Fundamentals of Workplace Automation

Workplace automation is primarily defined by a few core concepts, mostly related to the automation of vital activities like decision-making, creative calls, business conduction and impact on jobs.

Take a look at the four fundamentals of workplace automation for a better understanding.

1. Automation technology

Routine tasks that require basic analysing power heavily rely on automation. Surprisingly, tasks requiring human mediation are also moving towards automation. Not only is it time-efficient, but also less susceptible to mistakes. This is especially evident in the medical field, where machines are moving beyond tests and providing a diagnosis. However, in simpler situations, marketing strategies like mailers, advertisement recommendations and content algorithms are all a result of automation.

2. Modifying job processes

Machines cannot be considered a replacement for most jobs requiring human intervention, but they can definitely modify them. There are many mundane tasks associated with the primary job role of an employee that machines can attempt to simplify to achieve increased productivity. The aim is to produce error-free data analysis for people to focus on more high-value tasks.

3. Employment vulnerability

In contrast to the common understanding that automation targets low-wage, manual workers, it is now seeping through the hierarchy to reach high-wage workers too. Automation has progressed beyond screwing caps on a bottle. Data analysis by machines is now at par with humans. Machines process data, give feedback and review data. This means that people at high-position desk jobs also share their workspace with machines, making things easier.

4. Creative openings

Since technology and automation in workplaces have taken up the logical part of a job, we get more time to focus on the other aspects of it. There is a lack of creativity and emotional involvement in the workplace for most people. The preoccupation with executing the logical part of their job often overlooks the need for creativity and emotion. Machines cannot replicate these aspects of work, so employees get more time to focus on them and are holistically productive.

Effects of Automation in The Workplace

Let us explore the primary effects of workplace automation to fully understand its impact.

• Time efficiency
• Distribution of labour
• Modified job roles
• More creative involvement
• Increase in productivity

How can you be in tune with growing technology and automation in the workplace?

The man and machine conflict is rarely talked about. Machines were created to assist humans, but they are eventually encroaching on the human territory by redefining the way they work. Following the rapid involvement of tech-driven bots in human tasks, employees are expected to absorb new skills and align themselves with the new work environment to stay relevant.

Skills required to deal with workplace automation

It is not possible to ignore or tackle the growing instances of technological overtaking, but you can surely work with it. Skill shift is an ongoing phenomenon whether you are working with automation or creating it.

Take a look at some of the skills that will make your work alongside machines smoother.

Technical proficiency The most basic skill to deal with automation in the workplace is to be technically sound. One should be aware of basic coding, knowledge about applications and the latest development in the field.

Problem-solving Programmers actively work towards creating machines with better problem-solving abilities. It assists in making decisions related to working models to provide the best outcome. Learning problem-solving skills is very important to work in sync with the machine that runs on data-driven calculations for maximum accuracy.

Data analysis Data analytics is an important skill in the current work layout. Data analysts work with data processed by AI to predict trends and steer the business towards a more fruitful direction.

Degrees That Align You With the Future of Automation in Workplace

If your job demands working in a highly automated environment, the following courses can help you stay abreast of the latest technologies and skills to stay relevant in the evolving industry.

Bachelor’s and Master’s in Computer Application This is the most basic degree that is useful in this case. Students learn the core concepts of computer application, which help them better understand the concept of automation.

Machine Learning This degree is all about how machines imitate human cognition and process data for optimal solutions.

ML and AI Machine learning and artificial intelligence are growing in popularity due to their comprehensive curriculum. It focuses on the creation and application of automated technology. This degree is of great use in an automated work environment.

AR and VR Advanced technology forms like augmented and virtual reality are implemented across companies, acquiring which can help you boost your career significantly.

Cloud and Security Learning how to keep your data secure in a setting heavily dependent on cloud storage is essential. This degree helps you decode how to keep data secure from cyber threats.

Data Analytics Data analytics is a booming field in technology. The machine needs to be programmed to feed data to the machine and get the correct outputs. This degree is a great option for those aspiring to create automation technology to deal with data.

Conclusion

The acceptability of workplace automation is an ethical debate from the employment viewpoint. While it is true that automation may not always lead to job replacement, but a redefinition, employees must adjust accordingly to strengthen their significance within their respective organisations.

Amity University Online provides courses in computer applications with specialisations like machine learning and artificial intelligence to make you a pioneer in automation technology. If you envision a better future with the technology you create, then Amity University Online is your way to go!