Introduction
Today, we live in the age of automation, with machines and robots penetrating all spheres of human activity. Numerous advantages associated with technologies make them the first choice for organizations to boost their effectiveness and reduce the effort and resources needed to achieve a certain goal. For this reason, there is a tendency towards the reconsideration of traditional methods and their replacement by innovative ones, which guarantees better outcomes.
However, automation is sometimes viewed as a two-edged sword as robots are used instead of workers and take up their job opportunities. There are numerous fears that, in the future, human beings with be replaced with automated systems to perform different tasks and attain better results. At the same time, there is an opposing view, stating that people will always have jobs and automation should not be viewed as a threat. The suggested paper offers the analysis of two different opinions on the issue presented by Autor and Rotman in their articles, a discussion of their arguments, and a reflection on the future of people in the age of technology and automation.
Identification
Rotman starts his paper with the statement that “that robots, automation, and software can replace people might seem obvious to anyone who’s worked in automotive manufacturing” (1). The given argument becomes the central idea of the paper as the author offers several points to prove it. First of all, he suggests the economic reason which is associated with robots.
Productivity is one of the main factors driving the development of industries and the modern world. In such a way, the amount of economic labor created for a unit of input is the vital determinator of the wealth of a nation and its current economic state (Rotman 2). For this reason, the more value is generated from workers, the richer any country becomes. However, according to Rotman, in 2000, productivity continued to rise, while the employment and job creation patterns decreased (1). The main reasons for the emergency of this tendency included automation and the start of the age of robots.
In such a way, technological progress boosts productivity but decreases the demand for many types of jobs, which has a pernicious impact on individuals. Rotman states that there is another change in the sphere of clerical work and professional services, as robots and such technologies as Web, AI, and Big Data contribute to the automation of routine tasks and their cheapening (2).
From the employer’s point of view, the use of various devices guaranteeing better output along with minimum input is a preferable option, which can be used to benefit from additional income. At the same time, AI replaces jobs that have traditionally been performed by people because of the need for specific decision-making (Rotman 3). Under these conditions, Rotman’s main argument is that robots and technologies do destroy jobs and reduce employment rates because of their effectiveness and the ability to demonstrate better productivity levels. Using economic and social pieces of evidence, he states that many people will lose in a race against the machine as one specific and high-skilled vacancy will remain.
Autor offers another perspective on the problem of automation and its impact on humanity in the future. He states that today, there is a tendency “to overstate the extent of machine substitution for human labor and ignore the strong complementarities between automation and labor that increase productivity, raise earnings, and augment demand for labor” (Autor 5). Contrary to arguments emphasizing a negative impact of technology on the job market, Autor promotes the idea that technological progress is an essential part of social evolution and should not be viewed as a threat to workers (5).
To prove his assumptions, the researcher offers an example of changes in the banking sphere. The creation and introduction of automated teller machines were expected to eliminate bank tellers because of the increased effectiveness of these devices; however, because of the reduction in the amounts or routine jobs, these specialists became able to work as salespersons, improving relations with clients and offering additional bank services to them (Autor 6). In such a way, the development of technology preconditioned the positive shift in the job market and increased the value of tellers (Autor 6).
Using this case, Autor demonstrates that regardless of numerous fears, automation does not eliminate jobs; on the contrary, it creates new opportunities for workers to engage in new processes and increase their importance. Another argument states that robots help to reduce dangerous, hazardous, and other jobs that might have a negative influence on individuals and improve their quality of life by offering a chance to engage in creative or more skill-requiring fields, which will have a positive impact on the quality of their lives in the long run (Autor 7). Finally, Autor supposes that if machines make human labor superfluous, society will face the need to determine who owns wealth and how to share it, which is impossible regarding economics and history (28). For this reason, he tries to refute theories stating the automation is a serious threat to the future of jobs by offering arguments from the history of economic and social theories.
Analysis
Rotman’s Article Pros
One of the major advantages of the paper by Rotman is his appeals to previous investigations and statistical data. Supporting his claim about the negative impact of automation on jobs, he states that along with the increase in productivity, the reduction in employment was observed (Rotman 3). Appeals to credible data and arguments of Brynjolfsson and McAfee contribute to the increased value of the author’s statements and cogitations. Analysis of the situation in terms of the current economics is another advantage of the paper as it helps to understand how robots foster change in industries and contribute to the emergence of radical shifts in the structure and nature of the job market. In such a way, the use of relevant statistics and research works of other investigators interested in the same issue can be viewed as an advantage of Rotman’s position.
Rotman’s Article Cons
At the same time, there is also a drawback that should be mentioned. Speaking about automation and its effect on work, the author devotes little attention to the psychological and social aspects of the topic. Rotman states that the jobs alter under the impact of technology, and robots might replace some people in their positions, while others will remain because of the nature of their occupations (4). However, he does not consider the nature of human beings and the need for the activity as a key determinant of success and self-development.
The investigator is sure that the obvious economic benefits of automation will serve as the fundamental factors promoting its further spread and use in all spheres of human activity, which will result in the gradual change in the distribution and availability of jobs (Rotman 6). However, it is vital to take into account that labor is one of the pillars of civilization, and it cannot be excluded from societies, which means that people will try to find other solutions for the problem.
Autor’s Article Pros
Autor’s articles also have some advantages that should be mentioned. The most powerful argument offered by the author to justify his position is the existence of a specific link between technology and jobs. He states, “automation also complements labor, raises output in ways that lead to higher demand for labor, and interacts with adjustment in labor supply”. It means that although there are numerous fears that the growing number of robots will destroy job opportunities for people, the future is not as dramatic as some specialists forecast. Autor develops this idea by demonstrating how automation and employment interact using real-life examples, such as the advances in the banking sector, which, contrary to pessimistic predictions, created the basis for improvement and transformed labor by providing specialists with the additional space for creativity (6).
The emphasis on these unique relations is one of the most significant advantages of the paper, which should be considered. Additionally, there is an explanation of how economic models view automation and how it can be integrated into society without causing much harm to jobs and people, which also empowers the Author’s argument.
Autor’s Article Cons
At the same time, there are some weal points in arguments offered by the Autor. One of his basic assumptions is that workers will be able to preserve their jobs if there is an appropriate change in education, which will be able to support the changing environment. Additionally, “human capital investment” should be the heart of any long-term strategy needed to support the change and the growing automation rates (27). The investigator is sure that this alteration is inevitable and will be preconditioned by the need to complement new labor conditions. However, this premise can be doubted as multiple factors are impacting this very capital and the way of educational sector evolution. The inability to recognize this change might precondition the failure to achieve the final goal.
Evaluation
Evaluating the arguments offered by both rights, it is possible to state that they seem justified and relevant. The economic reasons for the spread of automation suggested by Rotman are reasonable as society has always tried to acquire the maximum benefit with the minimum effort, which is guaranteed by the further spread of robots. It means that individuals can be replaced because of their lower effectiveness. At the same time, Autor also has several reasonable ideas that show the existence of a positive relationship between automation and human labor, and this correlation guarantees the preservation of multiple opportunities to work and benefit from new ways to cope with complex tasks. The strength of arguments comes from the use of reliable examples and economic models offered by investigators.
However, comparing the ideas of Rotman and Autor, it is possible to state that the second researcher’s explanation and vision seem more reasonable. The economic benefits offered by Rotam are important for society; however, one should consider the fact that society’s evolution is impossible without labor and the chance for self-realization, which is guaranteed by this labor. It means that along with trying to generate more benefits, humanity will also look for new ways to work and engage in activities that will guarantee satisfaction to people and meet their needs. That is why Autor’s idea of increased creativity of jobs due to automation seems more justified and applicable to real-life conditions. Moreover, the problem of distribution of wealth if no one works mentioned by him is also a fundamental point proving the impossibility of the radical transformation of the labor market towards the complete disappearance of workplaces and opportunities to earn.
Reflection
In general, speaking about automation and the blistering rise of technologies we observe today, it is possible to state that the problem is both relevant and interesting at the same time. The recent achievements in different fields of science promoted drastic changes in the way people live and work. Even 50 years ago, it was almost impossible to imagine such a level of automation and technological penetration to all spheres of human activity, including the most creative ones. Robots are now an integral part of human lives, they are universal assistants who help to avoid doing dangerous or routine work and leave people more free time for other activities, private life, and their hobbies. However, regardless of these achievements, human beings value the opportunity to work too much, to refuse it completely.
By popular belief, labor was the major force that promoted the transition from ape to man. It means that the rise of civilization and the development of science were preconditioned by the gradual increase in the complexity of tasks workers had to perform to meet their growing demands on the quality of life. The need for better tools simulated the evolution of industries and driven technological progress, which resulted in the transformation of the world. In other words, work provided the basic meaning for human lives and served as the dominant force of evolution. Today, there are fears that humanity will be deprived of an opportunity to work, and people will have to look for other activities to replace it. However, this scenario is almost impossible to happen as no human being can be happy without work.
Many individuals will not agree with this statement at first, as it sounds like a dream to spend life in leisure with no need to work as robots perform all jobs, while people can enjoy the benefits of their functioning. Unfortunately, it will result in gradual stagnation and degradation of societies and humanity. Rephrasing the famous statement by Descartes, it is possible to say, “I work, therefore I am”. The fact is that work provides people with limitless opportunities for self-development.
To perform a particular job, a person should train and acquire the skills and knowledge, required to demonstrate a high level of effectiveness and remain capable of coping with all tasks. If robots perform all functions, human beings do not need training, which also means that the educational sphere will degrade and disappear as superfluous. The central goal of schools, colleges, and universities is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work and support the further evolution of society. In other words, the sector fulfills the demand of industries and the labor market, and if there is no need for workers, there is also no need for education, and the nation is doomed for degradation and collapse.
In this regard, the complete refusal of labor, or the inability to work, will mean the end of human societies in the way we know them today. The evolution will be replaced by the loss of knowledge and the gradual corruption of major social institutions. Moreover, trying to find alternatives and looking for ways to spend large amounts of free time, people might engage in violent actions as it was in ancient times when the ruling class organized bloody performances to entertain themselves. It will also precondition the decrease in spirituality and destruction of morals and values fundamental to the human world. However, even in this scenario, people will have to come back to work because of the collapse of civilization and the need to find food and guarantee survival by using primitive tools. In such a way, it is possible to conclude that life without labor does not have any sense for individuals, and it can harm them.
Conclusion
Altogether, automation is one of the most important concerns of the modern age. It is evidenced by the fact that there are vigorous debates on the problem. Two opposing camps are stating that automation destroys jobs and, on the contrary, assuming that robots provide opportunities for more creative labor and the further evolution of society. Surprisingly, regardless of reasonable fears that automation might be dangerous for workers, the assumption offered by Autor refutes this idea. He manages to justify his position by outlining real examples of how existing enterprises benefit from technologies and offer their workers new ways to express themselves. Moreover, from the economic perspective, robots are also an important part of our future, but they do not pose a threat to our jobs, which is vital for a better understanding of the problem.
Having analyzed the problem by using arguments offered by Rotman and Autor, it is also possible to state that the articles cultivate another perspective on the idea of automation and its role in modern society. Both authors admit the critical importance of the economic component and increase in productivity, which is linked to the fast development of these technologies. At the same time, it becomes clear that the nature of labor also changes, and specialists have to acquire new skills and knowledge to compete with robots and remain useful for companies. The ability to use automation for your purposes gets the top priority as in the next several decades, it will be a major force affecting the labor market and careers. For this reason, an enhanced understanding of this fact is vital for future success.
In conclusion, a significant scope of the topic of automation cannot be denied. Today it impacts the world and drives various changes. People might have different attitudes to it; however, everyone should accept its growing role and be ready to face challenges associated with it, as our future is mainly linked to science and the further rise of robots. The given paper explains this idea and offers cogitations important for the recognition of the importance of labor and the appropriate use of automation in the future. For this reason, it can be used in other projects devoted to the same topic.
Works Cited
Autor, David. “Why Are There Still So Many Jobs? The History and Future of Workplace Automation.” Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 29, no. 3, 2015, pp. 3-30.
Rotman, David. “How Technology Is Destroying Jobs.” MIT Technology Review Magazine, 2013, pp. 1-7.