The Future of Your Job in the Age of AI | Robots & Us | WIRED

Summary

The video script explores the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on the job market. It features Shaumbra Chan, a warehouse worker, and Karla Wally, a robot, highlighting how AI is being integrated into various sectors, from healthcare to transportation and food service. The CEO of Fetch Robotics, Melanie Wise, discusses how autonomous robots are being used in warehouses to complement human workers, rather than replace them. However, studies suggest that about half of current jobs are at high risk for automation, causing concerns among workers like Robert James, a forklift operator. The video also touches on potential solutions like universal basic income, which provides unconditional income to everyone, and the importance of adapting to a future where work may look very different.

Takeaways

• 🤖 The rise of AI and robotics is transforming the workplace, with machines taking on roles traditionally performed by humans across various sectors.
• 🧑‍🔧 Coworkers like Karla Wally, a robot, are becoming more common in warehouses, where they can cover vast distances and perform repetitive tasks more efficiently than humans.
• 👩‍💼 Melanie Wise, CEO of Fetch Robotics, emphasizes that the goal of implementing robots isn't to replace human workers but to complement them, allowing humans to focus on more complex and fulfilling tasks.
• 📈 Companies like Fetch Robotics are finding that by integrating robots into their workforce, they can increase competitiveness and efficiency without laying off employees.
• 🚜 Studies suggest that about half of all jobs are at high risk for automation, affecting not just manual labor but also white-collar professions, including journalists and radiologists.
• 🏭 Historically, new technology has increased productivity and created new jobs, but the current wave of automation is moving into cognitive spaces, potentially leading to a job market disruption unlike any before.
• 👷 Robert James, a forklift operator and union vice president, expresses concern about job losses due to automation, reflecting the worries of many workers facing a changing job landscape.
• 💼 United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes indicates that the company plans to invest in automation, which could lead to fewer jobs, reflecting a broader trend in manufacturing and other industries.
• 🤔 The concept of a universal basic income (UBI) is proposed as a solution to potential job displacement, providing everyone with an unconditional income regardless of employment status.
• 💰 Alaska serves as an example where residents receive an annual dividend, akin to a small-scale UBI, funded by oil revenues, raising questions about the impact of economic security on work motivation.
• 🧐 Critics argue that a UBI might make people lazy, but proponents like Foster disagree, suggesting that economic security allows individuals to pursue work they are passionate about.
• 🛠️ As automation becomes more prevalent, alternative solutions such as retraining programs and taxes on companies that automate are being considered to help workers adapt to the changing job market.

Q & A

What is the role of AI in the warehouse industry?

AI is used to power robots that pick orders from shelves, navigate warehouses, and transport goods, thereby reducing the manual labor required from human workers.

What is the name of the CEO of Fetch Robotics?

Melanie Wise is the CEO of Fetch Robotics.

How do autonomous robots impact the workforce at Fetch Robotics?

The robots at Fetch Robotics have not replaced human workers but have instead allowed employees to focus on tasks they are good at and find more interesting.

What is the general risk of automation according to the study mentioned in the script?

According to the study, about half of the jobs are at high risk for automation, affecting not just manual labor but also white-collar jobs.

What is the concern of workers like Robert James regarding automation?

Robert James, a forklift operator, is worried about job losses due to automation, as machines are increasingly capable of performing tasks that were previously done by humans.

What happened to the jobs at the Carrier Factory in Indianapolis?

The Carrier Factory in Indianapolis initially planned to move jobs elsewhere, but after a deal with President-elect Trump, around 700 jobs were kept at the factory. However, automation is expected to reduce the number of jobs in the long term.

What is a potential solution proposed for the job displacement caused by automation?

A potential solution is a universal basic income (UBI), which provides income to everyone regardless of their employment status.

What is the current example of a universal basic income provided in the script?

Alaska provides an example of a UBI, where every resident receives an average of $1,000 a year from oil dividends.

What is the criticism against the idea of a universal basic income?

Critics argue that a universal basic income might make people lazy and less motivated to work.

What is the counter-argument to the criticism of universal basic income?

The counter-argument is that economic security allows people to engage in work they are passionate about, and that the concept of work should be redefined to include unpaid work such as caregiving.

What are other ways to prepare for the future where machines take over jobs?

Other ways to prepare include retraining programs to equip workers with new skills and implementing taxes on companies that replace workers with robots.

What is the final message regarding the future of work and automation?

The final message is that there is no going back from automation, and the challenge is to adapt to a future where people may be working less, by finding ways to integrate technology with the workforce.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 The Rise of AI in the Workforce

The first paragraph discusses the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors, including warehouses, healthcare, transportation, and culinary services. It highlights how routine and predictable jobs are increasingly being automated. The narrative introduces Karla Wally, a robot coworker, and Melanie Wise, CEO of Fetch Robotics, who explains how their autonomous robots are designed to navigate warehouses, thereby reducing the physical demands on human workers. The text also touches on the potential for job displacement due to automation, referencing a study that suggests about half of current jobs are at high risk. It mentions the historical pattern of technology increasing productivity and creating new jobs, but raises concerns about the unprecedented cognitive capabilities of modern machines. The story of Robert James, a forklift operator and union vice president, illustrates the real-world impact of automation on jobs, as his company plans to invest in automation, which could lead to fewer jobs. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on potential solutions to job displacement, such as a universal basic income, and the importance of adapting to a future where work may look very different.

05:02

🔄 Adapting to an Automated Future

The second paragraph focuses on the inevitability of automation and the need for adaptation. It suggests potential measures to address job displacement, such as retraining programs and taxes on companies that automate human jobs. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of not ignoring the reality of automation and the necessity to prepare for a future where humans may work less. It stresses the urgency of finding ways to adapt to these changes and the potential consequences of inaction.

Keywords

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the video, AI is a central theme as it is shown being used in robots to automate tasks in warehouses, diagnose diseases in healthcare, and even drive trucks. This technology is portrayed as having the potential to disrupt traditional job roles and the labor market.

💡Machine Learning

Machine learning is a subset of AI that involves the use of data and algorithms to enable machines to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. The video discusses how machine learning is being applied to perform tasks that were previously the domain of humans, thereby threatening jobs that are routine and predictable.

💡Automation

Automation refers to the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention. The video script highlights automation's role in replacing manual and even white-collar jobs, as machines become more adept at tasks traditionally done by humans. Automation is shown as a double-edged sword, increasing productivity but also raising concerns about job displacement.

💡Robotics

Robotics involves the design, construction, operation, and use of robots, which are machines capable of carrying out complex tasks. In the context of the video, robotics is exemplified by the autonomous robots developed by Fetch Robotics, which navigate warehouses and perform tasks traditionally done by human pickers, leading to increased efficiency and job role transformation.

💡Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Universal Basic Income is a concept where every citizen receives a set amount of money from the government or another public institution, regardless of their employment status or income. The video discusses UBI as a potential solution to job displacement caused by automation, with the example of Alaska where residents receive annual payments from oil dividends. Critics argue it might reduce the incentive to work, while proponents believe it provides economic security and allows people to pursue work they are passionate about.

💡Productivity

Productivity refers to the efficiency of production, or the amount of output a worker or an economy can produce in a given period. The video mentions that historically, new technology has increased productivity and created new jobs. However, there is a concern that this time, with machines moving into cognitive spaces traditionally reserved for humans, the disruption could be unprecedented and lead to fewer jobs.

💡Job Displacement

Job displacement occurs when workers lose their jobs due to changes in the labor market, such as technological advancements or economic shifts. The video script discusses the risk of job displacement due to automation and AI, affecting not only manual labor but also white-collar and professional jobs. It raises the question of how society will adapt to this change.

💡Economic Security

Economic security refers to the state of being free from want and need, especially taking into account a steady income or reserve. The video explores the idea that economic security, such as that provided by a UBI, could enable individuals to pursue work they are passionate about, rather than just work for survival. It is suggested that this security may not necessarily lead to laziness but could allow for a redefinition of what constitutes work.

💡Retraining Programs

Retraining programs are initiatives designed to help workers acquire new skills to adapt to changes in the job market, often due to technological advancements. The video suggests that retraining could be one way to prepare for a future where certain jobs are automated, allowing workers to transition into new roles that require different skill sets.

💡Cognitive Work

Cognitive work involves tasks that require thinking, learning, and problem-solving skills. The video emphasizes that machines are increasingly capable of performing cognitive work, which was previously considered the exclusive domain of humans. This shift is causing concern as it blurs the line between human and machine capabilities and threatens jobs that require higher levels of education and training.

💡Adaptation

Adaptation in the context of the video refers to the process of adjusting to new conditions or changes in the environment. It is clear that as technology advances, society and the workforce must adapt to the changing job landscape. The video stresses the importance of proactive measures, such as considering UBI or retraining programs, rather than ignoring the potential impact of automation on jobs.

Highlights

Shaumbra Chan works at a warehouse alongside Karla Wally, a robot powered by artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence is being increasingly relied upon in various sectors, including healthcare, transportation, and the service industry.

Routine and predictable jobs are more likely to be threatened by machine learning.

Melanie Wise, CEO of Fetch Robotics, discusses the development of autonomous robots for warehouse navigation.

Fetch robots are designed to increase efficiency in warehouses, reducing the need for human transportation of goods.

At RK Logistics, the integration of robots has not led to layoffs but has instead created a more competitive workforce.

A study suggests that about half of all jobs are at high risk for automation, affecting both manual and white-collar professions.

Historically, new technology has increased productivity and created new jobs, but the current shift to cognitive tasks by machines may be different.

Robert James, a forklift operator and union vice president, expresses concerns about job loss due to automation.

Carrier Factory in Indianapolis, a furnace and air conditioner manufacturer, is an example of where the manufacturing industry may be headed with automation.

United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes acknowledges that automation will lead to fewer jobs at the Indianapolis factory.

Automation is leading to a resurgence of factories, but with a significant reduction in human labor.

A potential solution to job displacement is the concept of a universal basic income (UBI), which provides income regardless of employment.

Alaska has a form of UBI in place, with residents receiving an average of $1,000 a year from oil dividends.

Critics argue that UBI could make people lazy, but proponents believe it allows for work that people are passionate about.

Other potential solutions to prepare for automation include retraining programs and taxes on companies that replace workers with robots.

The challenge lies in adapting to a future where people may work less, and it is crucial to not ignore the impending changes.

Transcripts

shaumbra chan works at a warehouse

picking orders from miles of shelves

this is his coworker Karla Wally it it's

a robot powered by artificial

intelligence and he isn't alone

doctors are beginning to rely on AI for

diagnosing disease machines are taking

the wheel from truck drivers and chefs

are handing their ladles to robotic line

cooks doesn't matter whether you're

working in a factory or sitting at a

desk or working in the service sector if

you're doing something that is

fundamentally routine and predictable

that job is ultimately going to be

threatened by a machine learning will

work ever be the same

where are we heading towards a jobless

future

[Music]

so in here this is where we assemble the

robots

here's your your future job is a robot

builder Melanie wise is the CEO of fetch

robotics her team builds autonomous

robots that use sensors cameras and

mapping algorithms to navigate

warehouses so instead of a picker

walking several hundreds of miles over

the course of a week they would give the

goods to the robot and the robot does

all that transportation and they save me

about couple hours in the day make my

job of it easier @rk logistics which

supplies high-tech companies with

semiconductor parts fetch robots have

become part of the workforce

it wasn't about trying to replace people

it was about trying to use the people

that we have the employees that we have

for the tasks that they are good at and

are interesting and that they want to be

doing we've not laid off one person

because of robots and in fact because

it's made us even more competitive we've

actually only been hiring even so

mounting evidence suggests that the risk

of robots replacing humans in the labor

force is real according to one study

about half our jobs are at high risk for

automation and it's not just manual

labor

it's also your white-collar things it's

this job's done by journalists and

radiologists and all kinds of other you

know professional people that often have

lots of Education historically new

technology has increased productivity

and created new jobs but this time could

be different the machines are moving

into that cognitive space they're

thinking they're they're learning

they're adapting they're doing things

that used to be uniquely human and

eventually we're going to see an

unprecedented disruption that kind of

disruption is what concerns workers like

Robert James yes it worries me because

of automation causes people to lose jobs

James is a forklift operator at the

carrier Factory in Indianapolis with a

manufacturer of furnaces and air

conditioners

he's also the vice president of their

local union they shop a well the

benefits are good so

this factory may be a good indicator of

where the manufacturing industry is

heading last February carriers president

told employees at the Indianapolis

factory that their jobs were moving

tomorrow a mess ago then in November the

company struck a deal with president

elect Trump to keep around 700 jobs at

the factory no we're not leaving but

those jobs still aren't safe here's what

United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes told

CNBC a few days later we're going to

make up 16 million dollar investment in

that Factory in Indianapolis to automate

right that ultimately means is there

will be fewer jobs I think that UTC will

attempt to automate every job that they

possibly can we are in some cases seeing

factories come back but of course what

happens is that the factories are then

almost entirely automated so the

production is here they're there they're

building something here but there are

very few jobs so what can we do if

machines take our jobs one potential

solution is something called a universal

basic income a universal basic income is

the idea of income unconditionally given

to everyone regardless of how much work

they do where they work where they live

it may sound unrealistic but something

like it has been in place for decades in

Alaska where every resident gets an

average of $1,000 a year thanks to oil

dividends what's radical about that is

it's money that Alaskans didn't work for

and they believe that they deserve

critics say that it will make people

lazy but Foster disagrees will people

work if they have Economic Security is a

very good question

I the science shows that people in fact

do work but the other thing we have to

ask ourselves is what constitutes work

there are people who have worked without

pay for a long time I think of parents I

think of caregivers and so I think the

thing that basic Economic Security would

allow is the kinds of work that people

want to do and they're passionate about

if this idea doesn't catch on there may

be other ways to prepare like retraining

programs or

taxes on companies that replace workers

with robots but one thing is clear

there's no going back the worst thing to

do is just to pretend that it's not

going to happen and sit there and do

nothing our challenge is to figure out a

way to adapt to this future where people

may be working less