Robotics and artificial intelligence are two fields that are interested in the future of automation and semi-automation technologies. Over $1.5 billion is currently spent by businesses to incorporate automation into their projects. Robotic automation is expanding at a whopping 60% annual rate. Fears that automation will eliminate more jobs are growing. The world is now dealing not only with physical labour robots, but also with Artificial Intelligence that performs mental labour. In this article, we will discuss in detail regarding Automation in jobs which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Types of Automation

• Fixed Automation: Because fixed automation technology is more commonly used for goods with a higher growth rate, the large upfront investment of a fixed-automated facility may be distributed across a large cluster. Fixed-automation technologies are used to manufacture items as diverse as plastic toys and pencils.
• Programmable Automation: Programmable automation technology is a tool that aids in the production of a wide range of comparable goods. A recorded programme regulates the manufacturing process, but it is subject to change based on the need for extensive reconditioning and mechanical adjustments.
• Flexible Automation: A type of customisable automating process in which a machine-based manufacturing system can change the production programme, as well as the parameters and physical robotic arms or cells, with relatively little downtime.

What is Intelligent Automation (IA)

• Intelligent automation (IA), also known as cognitive automation, is the use of automation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), business process management (BPM), and robotic process automation (RPA) to help organisations streamline and scale decision-making.
• Intelligent automation has a wide range of applications because it simplifies processes, frees up resources, and improves operational efficiencies.
• An automotive manufacturer, for example, may use IA to speed up production or reduce the risk of human error, whereas a pharmaceutical or life sciences company may use intelligent automation to reduce costs and gain resource efficiencies where repetitive processes exist.
• Intelligent automation can be used by an insurance provider to calculate payments, make predictions used to calculate rates, and address compliance requirements.

Difference between AI and Automation

Advantages of Automation

• It can be used to replace physically demanding and monotonous tasks such as daily routine tasks.
• Simple quality checks can keep it running and even upgrade it.
• Increased throughput time, or the time it takes to complete a job, leads to increased productivity.
• Improved quality as a result of the replacement of humans by machines, which reduces human-induced errors.
• Improved process and product reliability through timely problem escalation and resolution of any process or product issues.
• Increased production speed as a result of technological advancement, resulting in shorter production times and higher output.
• Savings on long-term labour costs and the cost of poor quality.
• Increased skill flexibility and adaptability.
• Robots can perform better in jobs that require hard physical or monotonous work, or in hazardous environments (e.g., fire, space, volcanoes, nuclear facilities, underwater, etc.).
• Some tasks that are beyond human capabilities in terms of size, weight, speed, and endurance, such as lifting heavy machines, faster computing, weather prediction, and so on, can be done efficiently by them.
• Opportunities exist at a higher level in the development, deployment, maintenance, and operation of automated processes.

Disadvantages of Automation

• Security and hacking vulnerability.
• The rise in unemployment in the manufacturing and service sectors would pose a significant challenge to the administration in the short term.
• The initial costs of research and development may sometimes outweigh the savings from automating the process.
• The initial capital requirement is very high, and the average person cannot afford it.
• The reduction in demand for human labour as machines and intelligent robots take over jobs in manufacturing and services.
  • For example, in China, some customs officers are now robots, and in Japan, robot housemaids are becoming popular.
• If automated technologies fall into the hands of terrorist groups, they may unleash a modern terror network that includes machines, increasing human vulnerability.
• We cannot deny that employing people in a specific factory has an allure and provides a sense of accomplishment that thousands of automations and robotics cannot.

Applications of Automation

• Manufacturing sector: Industrial robots have changed the game of production, and now a single production line can produce multiple variants, lowering costs and optimising production timing.
• Health Sector: The automation of surgical instruments, health databases, and information on various diseases has resulted in faster diagnosis, better drug prescription, and higher human survival rates.
• Service sector: In developed countries, robots are replacing humans in jobs such as restaurants, tourism, and customs, but this is still in its early stages.
• Education: New types of tools based on the student's skill set and capability can be developed. It can lead to education based on need rather than being forced medicine.
• Women and children: Automation can result in a better surveillance system and, as a result, fewer crimes against them.
• Corruption: Automation in governance, such as E-governance and service delivery systems like E-sahyog, may usher in a more transparent and good governance era.
• Automated retail stores: For example, McDonald's employs robot waiters. Bengaluru-based Pace Automation Ltd. has partnered with IBM to provide a cloud-based solution to assist native Kirana merchants in becoming e-tailers.
• Automated stores: To save money, many supermarkets in developed countries are going fully automated.
• Automated Mining: We frequently hear about the loss of human lives as a result of mining accidents. People are being replaced by robots in order to reduce such instances.
• Automated highway system: It is very popular in Western countries, and our government recently announced a road safety policy along the same lines.
• Home automation using the Internet of Things is an emerging trend in which appliances are connected either by apps or by any local machine.
• Wearable devices: The next step in the revolution will be various types of devices that can monitor health 24*7*365 and even apply for medicines if necessary. They will also take care of other needs such as connectivity, exercise, education, and so on.
• Weather prediction: Natural disasters such as droughts, tsunamis, floods, and cyclones can be predicted ahead of time, and early warning systems can help reduce human and environmental loss.
• IT automation in the judiciary may result in faster case resolution and shorter justice delivery times.
• Border patrolling by robots may improve internal and border security by reducing cross-border terrorist infiltrations and human-animal-resource trafficking.

Conclusion

AI and automation will present many new challenges to workers, perhaps greater in scope than previous automation. However, sensible policies can assist workers in adapting to these changes and sharing the benefits of increased productivity that new technologies will bring.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a key benefit of automation?

A) Increased job displacement

B) Improved productivity

C) Decreased economic growth

D) Reduced quality of goods

2. Which sector is least likely to be affected by automation?

A) Manufacturing

B) Healthcare

C) Retail

D) Transportation

3. What is the most common concern regarding automation in the workforce?

A) Increased inequality

B) Loss of human creativity

C) Decline in manufacturing

D) Lack of economic growth

4. Which of the following is a challenge in the automation process?

A) High cost of technology

B) Excessive job creation

C) Universal applicability

D) Increased unemployment

5. How can automation help in improving quality control in manufacturing?

A) By reducing the need for skilled workers

B) By enabling real-time monitoring and adjustments

C) By limiting the variety of products

D) By replacing human workers in decision-making

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the role of automation in the Indian economy and its implications for employment.

Answer: Automation in the Indian economy has the potential to boost productivity, reduce costs, and foster innovation. However, it also raises concerns regarding job displacement, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture. To mitigate these effects, India must focus on reskilling its workforce, developing new job opportunities in emerging sectors like AI and robotics, and fostering policies that ensure inclusive growth. Automation should be seen as a tool for economic growth rather than a threat to employment, provided the workforce is adequately prepared for the changes.

Q2: Discuss the impact of automation on global trade and the shifting dynamics of labor markets.

Answer: Automation is significantly changing global trade by reducing reliance on low-cost labor, especially in manufacturing sectors. This shift has led to the reshoring of production to high-income countries with advanced technologies. While automation boosts efficiency and production capacity, it also creates a divide between countries that can adopt these technologies and those that cannot, exacerbating inequalities in the global labor market. To ensure equitable benefits, developing nations must invest in technological innovation, education, and training to avoid job losses and enhance their participation in the global economy.

Q3: How should governments adapt policies to harness the benefits of automation while protecting jobs?

Answer: Governments should focus on policies that support workers through education, reskilling, and retraining programs to adapt to the changing labor market. Additionally, they should incentivize innovation in sectors that create new jobs and provide safety nets for workers displaced by automation. Tax incentives for companies investing in human capital and the creation of new, technology-driven industries can also help balance the benefits of automation with the preservation of employment. Moreover, promoting social dialogue and partnerships between governments, industries, and labor unions can lead to more inclusive and sustainable automation policies.

Previous Year Questions on Automation

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What is the primary concern of automation in the context of job displacement?

A) Increased productivity
B) Decreased job quality
C) Widening income inequality
D) Faster economic growth

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The primary concern of automation is the widening income inequality, as low-skilled workers are displaced by machines, while high-skilled workers benefit from the new technological advances.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Analyze the impact of automation on the future of work and suggest measures to address the challenges posed by automation."

Answer: Automation is transforming the labor market by reducing the need for manual labor in routine tasks. While it increases efficiency, it raises concerns about job displacement and growing inequality. To address these challenges, governments should invest in reskilling programs, create new job opportunities in emerging sectors like AI and green technologies, and ensure social protection mechanisms are in place for workers. It is also crucial to promote a balanced approach where automation complements rather than replaces human work.