In an article on 30 May 2023, Materials Handling & Logistics magazine (MH&L) asked What Effect Will Automation Have on Your Job?
A new survey shows 40% of the current workday could be automated. While automation is always a concern when it comes to replacing jobs, the worry has been mitigated as automation has been filling in for jobs that fewer workers want given the current labour shortage.
Our machines fit into full automated production lines in manufacturing, alongside and in place of operators. The markets we work in and with have seen significant staff turnover in roles that involve mundane or monotonous tasks that involve manual labour and limited mental stimulation. Flipping, turning, inspecting or packing a mattress (or any product) can be a pretty boring job. Programmed machinery can do these tasks at a faster speed, often more accurately and with increased productivity and efficiency, also combating, reducing and preventing health and safety risk. These benefits mean that investment in automation machinery is a logical route. This also frees up workers who are of value and do want to stick around, to be utilised in another area of production.
Now, however, it seems that automation might be affecting all types of jobs, including those that humans like. A new global study of more than 1,000 employees shows artificial intelligence (AI) transformation of the workplace is in full swing, with 40% of the current workday ripe for automation.
The study, done by Valoir, found about 20% of manual tasks have already been automated by AI and other technologies over the past two years. While the level varied by geography, industry and job role, nearly every respondent experienced some level of automation. ChatGPT and similar solutions are accelerating automation with more than half of respondents saying they’ve experimented with generative AI.
“The question is not if companies should leverage AI technologies, but how,” says Rebecca Wettermann, CEO of Valoir, in a statement. “Every department, from IT to HR to the boardroom to individual employees, will need new strategies to maximize the positive impact of AI on their organization.
How AI is Shaping Our Future
Given the statistic that 40% of the average work day can be automated with AI and other technologies, it could result in a 3-day work week, notes the study. Some job roles are more adept at being automated with IT and finance having the most potential for AI automation of the workday, as high as 48%, says the study. Marketing and HR – two functions that have already automated significant processes – present fewer opportunities for further AI transformation.
Other key findings:
Employees believe 48% of their co-workers will be replaced by AI over the next two years.
Four out of 10 believe AI developments should be paused until better policies and regulations can be developed to manage the potential risks of AI.
Three out of 10 workers are very worried that AI will “take over.”
One in four workers are very worried that their job will be replaced by AI in the next year; those most concerned about being replaced were workers in the 26 to 41 age group and those in finance and IT roles.
Check out our machines and conveyors, along with some of the case studies of our recent projects, to see how we can help you make best use of space, streamline, make efficient and optimise your production output.
