Years from now, the workplace will be completely different from the way it looks today. The robotic revolution is unstoppable and it brings with it a lot of changes. Many manual jobs have been and will continue to be taken over by robots built by universal-robots.com. Before you know it, you will be moving into a house built by robots or be chauffeured by one.
The future robot and computer will be very complex machines that will have to be studied beyond elementary education levels. The skills that people will need to learn in order to be able to operate them will be beyond the usual computer classes.
Without a shadow of a doubt, tomorrow’s workplace will require a completely new set of skills to be able to navigate the workplace competently. Today’s training ground is barely scratching the surface with regard to where technology such as automation is headed. Digital training concentrates only on programming and computing.
Will Automation Replace Human Workers?
There is no indication that robotics will replace human workers. Rather, it looks like human workers will work side by side with the robots. This means that humans will interact in much the same way that human workers interact in the workplace; drawing on each others’ strengths for better productivity in the workplace.
The Computing Curriculum
It can hardly be said that the computing curriculum anywhere in the world is preparing young people for a future working with robot workmates. The skills being imparted in the classroom (computing and programming) only tackle understanding and use of computers. However, a future with computers is largely ignored.
Robotic Colleagues in the Workplace
The majority of young people are being prepared for a future of working with and relying on robots rather than building and programming them. The focus is on knowing how and when robots go off course instead of how to fix the wrong or build robots.
The machines of the future will be based on the following:
- Precise engineering
- Complicated mathematics
- Algorithmic learning
While this should not be forced into a school setting, there is no harm in introducing something basic. The truth is the workplace is headed that way anyway and the young people will be better off if they are prepared.
Basic introduction could go along the lines of:
- Definition of a robot.
- Understanding artificial intelligence (AI).
- What kinds of problems are handled algorithmic solutions?
Automation is working feverishly to crack these three areas:
- Creativity
- Dexterity
- Social intelligence
While someone may break the code and produce a robot that exhibits these skills, there are human qualities that cannot be automated.
The Robotic Revolution
Understandably, people are concerned about robots taking over their jobs. However, it would be better if we sought information instead of jumping to conclusions. Equipping people with higher computing skills will not prepare them to alongside robots. It only prepares them to work with computers.
Robots are not set to take over jobs from humans. In reality, they will make humans better in the workplace. Robots will make it possible for human workers to focus on meaningful and satisfying work rather than:
- Spend hours performing one task over and over.
- Perform tasks that require concentration for long periods of time.
- Perform tasks that require one to quickly search massive databases for information.
These are tasks that should be automated to give workers the chance to perform more challenging tasks more suited to their training.
The robotic revolution is not about to slow down. What the world needs is a generation that is ready for it. This means that the current computing curriculum needs to be changed to include some basic robotic training. It also means that robotics experts should be involved to provide proper guidance.
The worker of tomorrow should be prepped to be ready for automated assistance in the workplace. This preparation needs to begin as early as possible.
