Robot workers and droids to replace two out of every five SA jobs within 10 years
EXCLUSIVE: Robots are coming to take our jobs and are expected to replace two in every five SA workers over the next decade, according to a major report from a leading industry analyst.
ROBOTS are coming to take our jobs and are expected to replace two in every five SA workers over the next decade, according to a major report from a leading industry analyst.
Australian Industrial Transformation Institute director John Spoehr will on Tuesday urelease a study that flags workers in the transport, retail and hospitality services as being most under threat.
Prof Spoehr told The Advertiser SA faced unique threats from the coming rise of the machines, as it offered fewer jobs in so-called “creative industries” that were most resistant.
However, even a large number of white collar jobs are at risk from the wipe-out that has swept through SA’s factories as artificial intelligence takes over in the banking and financial fields.
Prof Spoehr said this new era of droid workers was a “step change” when compared to past technological advances, and had the potential to result in an overall reduction of human jobs.
“Our industry structure in SA makes us a bit more vulnerable to automation than other states, because of the types of occupations we have and dominance of mass manufacturing,” he said.
“But the big difference now compared to a decade ago is that artificial intelligence and machine learning now enables very sophisticated jobs to be automated.
“Local accountants are being eclipsed by offshore provision of services, given the growth of the internet and online services.
“Even those types of sophisticated advisory roles are being rapidly automated.”
Teachers and medical experts are among the workers most likely to keep their jobs.
Prof Spoehr said the best protection was to gain new qualifications and constantly build skills.
A decline in the total jobs available may force major social changes including sharing fewer hours across more people or new payments for those left unemployable by machines, he said.
Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Kyam Maher said it was unclear what the full effect of disruption would be, but many SA companies were adding jobs as they automated.
“(They) have actually created jobs by virtue of increased production, which has driven their costs down and increased their global competitiveness,” Mr Maher said.
“SA is at the epicentre of economic change. For more than half a century we’ve been involved in traditional manufacturing, and we’ve been very good at it.
“We are seeing a rapid increase towards high value-added, sophisticated activities.”
SA Unions secretary Joe Szakacs said new training must be help workers transition.
“Increasing automation is both a threat and opportunity being face the world over. SA can lead the country in new-tech industries, only if working people are not left behind,” he said.
“Germany has embraced robotics and automation as part of their industrial critical mass, while continuing to lead Europe in job security and career paths for these affected workers.”