According to a new report by the IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers), certain tasks, rather than specific occupations, will be under threat from artificial intelligence (AI) and therefore no job will be immune. Roles will change not just in repetitive manual labour, but in clerical and professional positions too.
The report "Automation and Autonomy' highlights that the impact of AI on jobs will come in waves, with the first happening in the next five years and other roles involving more complex manual tasks, or social and literacy skills, taking longer to disappear, over the next 20 years. The report highlights that 27 per cent of all workers are concerned about losing their jobs.
Healthcare is predicted to be the industry most affected by AI, as it transforms diagnosis, decision making and treatment. At a time when the NHS is facing a recruitment crisis, with parts of NHS England only able to fill one in 400 nursing vacancies, AI robots could potentially help clinicians with logistical tasks, thereby freeing up time for other duties.
Already, over one-quarter of NHS hospitals which perform operations use robotic devices to assist in operating theatres.
Dr Jenifer Baxter, Head of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, says: "The most significant risk we face with AI is its rapid pace of development and adoption. Our way of life is changing quickly, and we need to be developing considered policies that reflect the fact that AI will feature in every aspect of our lives. This includes considering education and training opportunities, as well as society's wider safety nets for those who may find the transition to the world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution more difficult.
"While not many occupations will be entirely automatable, around 60 per cent are estimated to have 30 per cent technically automatable activities. It is more likely that occupations will have to adapt and evolve, rather than being completely replaced by machines. Instead of fearing them, people will need to learn to work alongside machines, and develop up-to-date skills needed for this new age of automation."
Automation and Autonomy recommends three priority areas for action:
Please follow the link to read the "Automation and Autonomy' report.
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
1 Birdcage Walk
Westminster
SW1H 9JJ
UNITED KINGDOM
+44 (0)20 7222 7899