I read an interesting piece on Engadget this morning about the near future step change humans are facing in the jobs market due to rapid technological advances. The article describes how robots will take over human jobs in the not too distant future.
New technology is going to revolutionise the way we travel and the way goods are delivered in the next 20 years. Amazon will deliver via drones and use anticipatory technology to deliver your goods before you even order them. Taxis can already be ordered using Uber, soon your taxi might be driverless.
What about the future drivers, logistics clerks and telephone operators? Where do they fit into this bright new future? Are we sitting on a global time bomb of unemployment, discontent and bitterness towards the digital technology and artificial intelligence that has replaced people in undertaking these jobs?
Ok, it’s hard to be angry at a drone or faceless internet based global corporations but when a whole generation points the finger and shouts ‘how did you let this happen?’ What will we say. That we slept walked into this situation because we were too busy staring at our smartphones?
Automation of the transport and logistics sectors and the fact people will no longer be a necessity in these activities which support significant workforces has a number of implications.
Humans need to redefine education in order to support the creation of a Thinking Economy. A recent uk government report stated that developing a digital skills base was key to the future success of the country. I couldn’t agree more.
Let’s not leave this to chance, let’s create the framework now that develops a digital skills base and talent pool not for the few but for the many. Some people will always prefer to ‘do’ rather than ‘think’ and those people should be supported in pursuing the path they choose to take in life. But with less ‘doing’ jobs we need Thinking Economics. More thinking demand needs to be met with thinking supply.
So start to create the Thinking Economy now to secure the future of our children’s careers.