A robot took over my work… and I feel fine – Episode 1

The title of this article sounds like the title of a rock song. It contains a contrast that represents the feeling a lot of people have when it comes to robotic process automation: Fear and acquiescence.

Is Robotic Process Automation the new job killer? Or does is provide us with new opportunities and perhaps new jobs?

There has been a lot of writing recently on how the rise of the robots will eliminate millions of jobs. According to World Economic Forum research, about 7 million jobs will be lost and 2 million gained as a result of technological change. Administrative and office jobs will account for two-thirds of the losses, with “routine white-collar office functions at risk of being decimated.”

Impact on IT and BPO business
Now let’s take a look at the business I am working in: IT and BPO. Analyst firm Horses for Sources has estimated the total impact of automation on IT/BPO Services Workers.


Source: http://www.horsesforsources.com/indias-services-industry-set-to-lose-640000-low-skilled-jobs-to-automation-by#sthash.AVrPulvs.dpuf

They predict that there will be a worldwide decline of 14% in the IT and BPO Workforce. In India the decline is expected to be 14%, in the US 12%. Interesting detail is that the impact on the workforce in the Philippines is expected to be positive: resulting in an increase of 8%. For the rest of the world a decrease is expected of approximately 5% (UK 4%).

Understanding the impact of robotics
To understand the impact of robotics on our daily work and on our clients, we need to be able to:
  1. Assess our own work and point out which parts would be a candidate for robotics;
  2. Understand where the opportunities are for utilizing our unique skills, as humans and as individuals.

Do I think that robots will take over all our work?
Hell no, there is going to remain a need for the human touch.

Do I think robotics will impact the work of every single individual on this planet?
Yes, I do.

How would I feel about a robotic system taking over (part of) my job?
Let's discuss that in the next episode.

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