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Introduction
The manufacturing industry is gradually changing because of robotic automation and artificial intelligence. Although this technology has brought improvements in efficiency and cost reduction among many manufacturers, its effect on employment remains a hot topic today. The possibility to automate jobs and their effect on technology was discussed in this article with the help of statistical data and industry reports. This article focuses on the Role of Robotic Automation in Manufacturing. Robotics in the Industrial Revolution is one of the fundamentals of modern industrial production processes, which has contributed immensely to the revolution of production systems. Cobots are used to do repetitive, risky, and accurate jobs that not only saves time, but also makes good quality. Such systems go on working at optimal levels of accuracy and uniformity, something that human labor might not sustain in the long run. One of the key advancements of today’s robotic automation is Artificial Intelligence (Al). Robots controlled by artificial intelligence are capable of dealing with extensive data in the shortest time, hence improving decision making and operations. Predictive maintenance, with the help of Artificial Intelligence, means that machines are only servicea once their service is due and this greatly minimizes the costs that come with a machine that has failed. For instance, car makers use predictive maintenance and have fewer stops in the production line, resulting in healthier bottom lines and fewer millions lost. One more important application is the so-called machine vision technology wherein an organization employs artificial intelligence and high-definition cameras for product inspection. The benefits of the machine vision involve the ability to perform the quality check continuously and feasibly, with no compromise on time to enable a high-quality production line with greatly improved product dependability. This technology has proven important in areas like, the electronic manufacturing which requires high precision. Through working process optimization and dealing with repetitive tasks, robotics provide employees with an opportunity to occupy creative, difficult, and high-stakes positions. It makes a great deal of sense because this change not only increases efficiency, but is also instrumental in building the future smart and efficient manufacturing environment.
Explore more: World Economic Forum.
https://www.nam.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NAM-Al-Whitepaper-2024-1.pdf
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/ai-manufacturing-industry-impact/
Employment Displacement: The Downsides of Automation
On one hand, robotic automation has benefits in manufacturing, however its consequences for jobs especially in repetitive and physical jobs are concerning. Robotic automation often aims at activities that are monotonous, predictable, and low in decision-making discretion, activities that have historically been performed by operatives on an assembly line, tool makers, factory workers and the like. These are the employees often with low level of education and accordingly – most susceptible to jol sodding. As much as 46.4% of the jobs in American industries can be at risk of automation, according to the data published by the GAO, and manufacturing is one of the industries most exposed to this risk. This has left many of these employees without jobs or have massive challenges securing new jobs, especially within the skilled professions. This dislocation is not only a matter of people often losing their jobs, but also of income stagnation and income inequality, namely in postindustrial areas that rely on retail and manufacturing. When robots appear, it sparks what the professionals consider the substitution effect, and people are out of work in jobs that used to be critically needed. For instance, currently in car manufacturing organizations, robotic technology is used for the welding and painting section, which previously required a professional labor force. This skill directs them and in the long run minimizes the total number of work opportunities available to mankind, especially low skill ones. Although automation certainly leads to efficiency, it brings effects that disrupt the social and economic structures of a country, hence calls for skilled labor management and sensible interventions.
https://www.gao.gov/blog/which-workers-are-most-affected-automation-and-what-could-help-them-get-new-jolos
Opportunities Created by Automation
Even though automation plays a part in displacing some jobs, it is at the same time the driving force behind so many opportunities within many fields. New manufacturing technologies and techniques now require a pool of workers with programming, management, and maintenance skills in complex robots. They are creating high-demand positions for robotics engineers, artificial intelligence specialists, machine learning experts and data scientists. With employees also being an integral part of many organizations, automation advanced the need for human capital that can implement these systems for specific work environments. For example, robotics engineers are involved in the development and deployment of automation strategies and tactics, while Al practitioners direct big data analysis and generate decision support for the sake of system improvements. In addition, through the incorporation of the automation, it creates an opportunity for the workers to shift to other sectors and do things such as designing, analyzing, and strategizing which cannot be provided by the machine. For instance in manufacturing, man monitors robotic systems for productivity and output quality rather than direct mechanical labor. This evolution makes the workers assume responsibilities associated with innovation and problem solving. However, the automation contracts support industries thereby increasing their growth rates. Therefore, not only are those industries experiencing exponential growth but they are also creating far more jobs as companies which design robotic systems, or software, or offer maintenance services are expanding rapidly. However, the interdependence of automation and workforce development that underlines this narrative, calls for the optimistic view on new opportunities being created by technology.
July 22-23, 2025
Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, MN
https://www.gao.gov/blog/which-workers-are-most-affected-automation-and-what-could-help-them-get- new-jols
Bridging the Skills Gap
Wiith various industries undergoing automation, it becomes apparent that the world’s most crucial issue is the employees’ skills mismatch after losing their jobs due to Automation. Those people losing their jobs due to the automation of mainly repetitive and mechanical activities do not possess requisite technical and flexibility skills to obtain job opportunities in promising sectors. This has turn up a dire need to develop and execute training and update that will fit the current market needs and demands. The incorporation of robotics and artificial intelligence (Al) has broken record demand for competencies unique to the fields. Specializations in robotics programming, Al system administration, data science, and cyber security are now hot properties. At the same time, long non-technical skills such as thinking ability, creativity and, problem solving ability are gaining importance as they augment automated process. Employees possessing both technical content and soft skills are in a better place to secure a job in the current and future world. To support this, governments and industries have stepped up and put their money in different training programs. Home training, vocational training, certification courses, and boot camps are preparing displaced workers to acquire jobs in those fields. For instance, professional training under the bursary of certain governments has made some technologies such as; robotics, and machine learning affordable for everyone by partnering with tech firms in funding the courses.
Industry Examples
1. Predictive Maintenance: Al is used to monitor condition and failures of equipment within the process industries where manufacturers conduct timely repairs to avoid significant losses from downtime. It makes work more efficient and deploys experts on technicians and engineers on how to attend to Artificial Intelligence systems. To entrust these decisions to the workers in such positions, these individuals need to know how to decipher obtained system data, for the improvement of operational workflows.
2. Machine Vision: Computer Vision Quality Control Inspections are rising to prominence, thanks to new advanced Al that help to quickly and accurately detect defects in products. These systems will help to minimize waste and guarantee compliance with quality requirements. Therefore, there is newly created job opportunities for individuals with skills involving installation and programming of these machine vision systems, as well as expert maintenance in technical and analytical field. Closing the skills gap is a challenge that is not for an individual organization to solve, but for the cooperation of governments, learning institutions and the private sector. Through imparting Awardee’s and other workers with such skills, it possible avails the efficiencies of automated systems while creating a secure future for the workforce.
https://www.gao.gov/blog/which-workers-are-most-affected-automation-and-what-could-help-them-get-new-jobs
Challenges and Considerations
Economic Disparity: Automation will create more advantage for the large scaled operation manufacturers rather than small companies, which may lead to an increase of the inequality of income.
Job Polarization: high-skill, high-wage positions increase or are created while, concurrently, the definition and demand for middle-skill occupations decrease.
Adoption Costs: Automation is not easily adopted in small manufacturers, because it is an expensive investment that small manufacturers can rarely afford, and they do not have access to advanced technology, as other large manufacturers do.
Future Outlook
There is going to be an even greater increase in the use of robotic automation in manufacturing as a result of the improvement in artificial intelligence, alongside the call for environmentally friendly procedures. Policymakers, educators, students, and industrialists must develop effective strategies for reducing negative employment effects. These are including providing easy access to training schemes as well as underlining the ethical use of automation technologies.
Conclusion
While industrial robotics alters the conventional model of production employment, it is at the same time a source of new possibilities. These changes illustrate the key reason that a strategic approach to workforce development can aid in managing this shift toward the technological transformations of work.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/how-we-can-unleash-the-power-of-ai-in-manufacturing/