Scientists claim that people may no longer be needed as a workforce due to the development of the modern technologies. Technological growth may leave without work millions of people, and significantly increase the level of unemployment in the world. Experts of the leading European companies in the field of artificial intelligence convinced that robots can replace not only the low qualified staff but also the highly qualified professionals. According to the scientist’s general opinion, 2055 was called as a milestone in technological progress (Taylor 185). However, artificial intelligence developers constantly hasten the time when the robots will replace humans.
Scientists suppose that machines will replace staff by 2025 (Taylor 198). Robots can do the work of scavengers, cleaners, military workers. Furthermore, nowadays the robots successfully do some kinds of the hazardous work. In the past, the robots could only perform the hard physical work. However, now their creators equip them with a level of intelligence that they can already make own decisions. Therefore, the robots are constantly getting better, and they will be able to perform even surgery and teaching in the future.
Machines provide faster and reliable service to customers than humans. For instance, mobile Internet is a technology already available to mass markets. As a result, post office workers and service workers should think about changing their profession. Robotizing of knowledge information processing can lead to the loss of jobs among teachers, editors, journalists, financiers, lawyers, translators. In other words, the intelligent programs will soon be able to perform the work of highly qualified workers. Cloud technologies can leave without work IT-specialists, system administrators and operators (Josyula 263). Many services will be available via the Internet. In addition, computer programs are already successfully used to diagnose diseases. In the future, computers with extensive databases will be able not only to diagnose patient's illness, but also prescribe treatment. Thus, many therapists and pharmacists may lose job. Drivers and machinists can also become jobless due to the computerized vehicles. Automated cars will be able to run without drivers.
The issue of the unemployment makes some scientists express ideas on arresting the technological advancement in order to protect the unskilled workforce. However, the number of technological progress opponents is comparatively lower than the number of automation advocates (Betz 163). Despite different opinions, the scientific and technological progress is the leading factor for cultural and social development of every society. Although the technological progress influences the employment rates, it also brings many profits and positive outcomes. Technology enhances human capabilities and creates conditions for the development of society and every individual in particular. Although there is a danger for the unskilled workforce to become non-demanded, the modern technologies increase the productivity rate of humanity. Therefore, society resorts to modern technological devices in order to survive and flourish.
In conclusion, the technology progress brings both positive and negative results to mankind. However, the slowing down of the technological development is not a problem solution. Timely prediction of the specific dangers and prevention of the negative consequences, (e.g. an increase of the unemployment rate) are the effective measures of combating the negative result of the technological advancement. Retraining and additional training of the unskilled workforce also belong to the measures of eliminating the negative consequences of the technological progress.
Works Cited
Betz, F. Managing Technological Innovations. 2nd ed. Canada: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2003. Print.
Josyula, V., Orr, M. & Page, G. Cloud Computing: Automating the Virtualized Data Center. Indianapolis: Cisco System, Inc. 2012. Print.
Taylor, R. Technological Progress and Economic Growth: an Empirical Case Study of Malaysia. Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing Inc., 2007. Print.
