# Navigating the Future: What Happens When Robots Replace Jobs?
Written on
Chapter 1: The Rise of Automation
The era of automation is already here. In cities like Austin and Miami, autonomous vehicles operate like taxis, transporting passengers seamlessly. Meanwhile, self-driving robots in Seoul are making deliveries, utilizing IoT technology to access security doors and elevators effortlessly. AI is being integrated into various robotic systems, from personal care assistants to baristas. As cities and states enact regulations to manage these advancements, we stand at a pivotal moment in our workforce dynamics.
Fighting for the Jobs
Recently, the phenomenon dubbed the Great Resignation saw 47.8 million individuals leave their jobs in the past year. This mass departure raises questions about the future of work, as many positions are being replaced by robots. Union representatives, such as Daniel Avelyn from Teamsters International, voice their concerns: “While we acknowledge the progress in autonomous vehicle technology, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture. This technology can either enhance the work our members do or lead to reckless implementation, jeopardizing lives and disrupting the workforce.”
In essence: our jobs are at risk.
However, the shift towards robotic automation appears unavoidable. As we transition into a post-capitalist, post-job economy, the market forces favor automation. Robots are not only more cost-effective but also outperform humans in many tasks. They lack the complexities that come with human management, and crucially, they do not require wages. Businesses that resist automation may find themselves unable to compete, resulting in millions of job losses.
This transition may ultimately yield positive outcomes, but the immediate concerns are valid.
> The Teamsters leader's apprehension is warranted, given society's lack of preparedness for this shift. In the current economic structure, losing a job often leads to financial instability and housing insecurity. Capitalism ties survival to employment, leaving those without jobs vulnerable. Teamster members facing layoffs may find themselves in precarious financial situations, often with limited alternative employment options.
The impact won't be confined to a single union or sector; entire categories of jobs will vanish, affecting not only workers and their families but also the political landscape. The rallying cry to "create jobs" may soon pivot to a narrative where those jobs are increasingly taken by robots. The discussions around minimum wage, such as Bernie Sanders' push for $15 an hour, might soon feel outdated as many jobs at that pay scale could disappear. The disruption is already unfolding, and its trajectory remains uncertain.
All Is Not Lost
Despite the immediate upheaval, the long-term implications of automation could lead us to a different economic paradigm. As jobs become increasingly automated, a new system will likely emerge, as the current capitalist model—where individuals sell their labor for essential goods—becomes unsustainable.
Most discussions surrounding this transition focus on the workers, who will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the changes initially. Imagine a scenario where an economy with 100 million employed individuals sees that number plummet to just 10 million due to automation. This would create a social crisis for the 90 million who find themselves unemployed, resulting in a significant contraction of the market. The repercussions wouldn't just affect workers; business owners would also feel the impact of a shrinking consumer base.
This reality raises concerns about our collective ability to address such crises—especially as we face other global challenges, such as climate change, with minimal coordinated action. The scale of job losses may result in a widespread crisis that compels action from business owners, who cannot ignore a market that becomes too small for their survival.
#### Job Improvements
One potential avenue is for business leaders to devise more engaging roles for humans as robots take on less appealing tasks. While some adaptation is likely, the rapid pace of robot deployment could make this transition challenging. Historically, society has managed job displacement from technological advancements—like the transition from farming to urban employment—but the speed of current changes may overwhelm available opportunities.
#### Laissez-Faire Brutality
Another possibility is that business owners may neglect the issue, leaving those displaced without support. This approach could be detrimental for wealthy elites, as social instability often arises from widespread economic hardship. History has shown that significant price hikes without corresponding income increases lead to unrest.
#### Robot Tax with Basic Income
A more promising solution could be the implementation of universal basic income (UBI) funded by a tax on robots, a concept proposed by Bill Gates. In this scenario, individuals would receive a guaranteed income sufficient to meet their basic needs, regardless of employment status. This would enable them to purchase necessary goods and services, thus benefiting the economy as a whole. A robot tax could also slow down the rapid adoption of automation, providing a more manageable transition.
This UBI, funded by a robot tax, seems the most feasible path forward, though likely not immediate. It presents a scenario where business owners reduce labor costs, workers maintain a stable livelihood, and consumers continue to drive demand, ultimately benefiting the wealth of elites. Historical patterns indicate that elites have consistently profited from the labor of others, and this trend is unlikely to change.
What Can We Expect in the New World?
In the near future, robots will become ubiquitous, performing various tasks from cooking meals to delivering packages. They will manufacture goods and provide numerous services, from cleaning to automated marketing.
Once we address the potential collapse of the labor market and implement solutions like a robot-tax-funded UBI, life will transform significantly. The concept of precarity—living paycheck to paycheck—may become a relic of the past. Individuals will regain time for creativity, social interaction, or leisure activities. The notion of "need" will evolve, allowing people to engage in pursuits that resonate with their passions without the burden of financial anxiety.
Will Robots Take Our Jobs? explores the implications of automation on the workforce, discussing the inevitability of job displacement and societal responses.
If Robots Take Our Jobs, What Will Be Left for Humans to Do? | WIRED delves into the future landscape of work, examining what roles humans may occupy in an automated world.
Future, Solar, Postcapitalism, & Climate Change
Articles by Anthony Signorelli
Retirement Articles by Anthony Signorelli
See my articles on retirement and financial planning here.
You can find my newsletter Intertwine: Living Better in a Worsening World here.
Anthony Signorelli
Ideas, insights, and imagination to help you live better in a worsening world. Topics include Men, #MeToo, and Masculinity; Postcapitalism; Climate Change; Digitalization and Cryptocurrency; Green Energy; Retirement and financial planning… basically everything that addresses making life better in this challenging time of history.
To help me continue this work and find other insightful writing, join Medium here. It’s only 5 bucks, and Medium pays me half to keep this work going. Much appreciated.