A Discussion on the impact of Robots on Society

1. Is Society Ready for the Robots
Denis Hackett M.Sc. B.Sc. M.I.C.S.

2. Technology is one of the largest and
most influential areas of our lives
today, and has been for some time.
It has brought major improvements
in many areas, such as Healthcare,
Communications, and generally
improved lifestyles.
We are now entering a new Phase of the Technology revolution. where past
innovations provide a platform for the development of new applications, such
as Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Robotics, and Virtual Reality.
Technology Phase I

3. Current research in robotics aims
to increase the capabilities of these
machines, in areas such as Vision,
Mobility, and even Decision Making
capacity.
Robotics
Some argue that, while this may bring significant advances from a
technological perspective, it may not be very positive in terms of jobs
and employment.
In the case of Robotics, these systems have been in use in industry
for many years, and has proved quite successful in areas such as the
Auto Industry and some aspects of Healthcare.

4. The arguments in favour of deploying Robots to replace human
workers would include the following:
Robots just do the job, therefore why should we not replace
human workers with robots
• Robots are less expensive
• They don’t require coffee breaks
• They don’t require holidays
• They don’t strike
• They don’t argue
This does appear to be a reasonable argument in favour of Robotics.
Robotics

5. Gartner Incorporated, The well-known American research and advisory
firm predicted that by “2018” 50% of the fastest-growing companies will
have more smart machines than smart employees.
A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research on the
impact of robots on US labour markets found that there were considerable
negative effects on employment and wages.
A recent discussion on National Radio made reference to a report which
stated that 47% of all jobs will be automated within the next 20 years.
Robotics

6. If predictions of Robots replacing Human Workers becomes reality, it
will bring major changes to society as we know it.
Employment is an intrinsic part of
human society, it’s how we earn
income, which enables us to buy
things, which then provides income
for store owners.
This income also enables us to buy cars, and go on vacations,
which then provides income for the auto and travel industries.
Robotics

7. Another highly relevant issue is that our
Governments obtain considerable income
via various forms of tax from all of this
employment and consumer spending.
If millions of people become unemployed due to Robots, this will
have a very negative impact on Government’s Tax intake.
If a large proportion of jobs are taken by robots, this affects not
only the unemployed worker, but all of these other industries also.
Robotics

8. How will this loss of income affect a Government’s ability to provide funding
for Hospitals, Education, and all other public services.
Further reducing a Government’s financial balance sheet.
These millions of unemployed people will also become dependant on
the Government in areas such as:
• Social Welfare
• Healthcare
• Education
Robotics

9. While this may alleviate the reduced tax intake from employees, it
will not address the issue of consumer spending, as our Robot cousins
don’t require cars, holidays, fancy suits, or evening meals.
Bill Gates, a person with
considerable Knowledge and
experience in this area, proposed
one solution to this problem,
Robots Should Be Taxed
Robotics

10. Another problem that can arise from mass unemployment is social
unrest. Employment not only provides income, for many people it also
provides a sense of purpose, a feeling that one is contributing to society.
When this sense of value is
removed from millions of
people it may have unforeseen
consequences.
There have been proposals to introduce a Social Wage (for the newly
unemployed) to counter the problem of Loss of Income, however this
will not address the issue discussed above.
Robotics

11. We could take the robot efficiency
argument a little further and asked, why
don’t we replace all our pets with robots.
Robot pets don’t require food, vet bills,
or grooming, and they won’t shred your
furniture. Would this be acceptable?
This provides a similar argument for replacing pets with Robots to that
provided for replacing Human Workers with Robots.
How would we feel if legislation was introduced that required all
pets to be replaced by robot pets within 2 years?
I imagine this proposal would encounter significant opposition
Robotics

12. The Robot Revolution.
Is there need for
Our Leaders
both Governmental & Industrial
To prepare for, or possibly
RECONSIDER
Robotics

13.  Detection and Prevention of Disease
 Assistance with Pollution Control
 Improved efficiency in Energy usage
 Education & Learning
 Protection of our Elderly and our Children
Are There Alternatives ?
There are many other areas where we could focus our future technologies
that would bring considerable benefits to society, such as:
Would we not be better served by deploying technology to protect
and advance Society (as described above) rather than seeking to make
Millions of people redundant?

14. We must also recognise that
Technology is Not the Problem.
It will only do what we design it to do.
The critical issue is that we implement future technology’s in beneficial and
appropriate ways, and that we utilise these advances for the betterment
of Society, rather than trying to replace it.
Technology Phase II
Technology is one of the most exciting industries today
With millions employed in technology related sectors