Labour file
The Threat of Artificial Intelligence and Automation Technology— The Task of the Working Class
From the beginning of this year2016 several experts of various economic and financial institutions of international repute have been warning about the impending threat of‘ industrial revolution 4.0’ and automation to the jobs and employment prospects particularly in the develop ing countries.
In the yearly convention of World Economic Forum-46, held at Davos of Switzerland between Jan20-23, a report about the“ Fourth Industrial Revolution” was presented by an economist and executive chairman of Germany Clauss Squab. A book explaining about the fourth industrial revolution, and how the world has to react to it and be prepared to adapt to it also has been released during this convension. The WEF has also given a call that it is working to bring about the fourth industrial revolution, and the world should be ready to receive the fruits of the fourth revolution. They have also propagated that with the technological inventions of the fourth industrial revolution, the life style of human beings of the entire world will be changed and that everyone on the globe shall be the stake-holders in the oncoming fourth industrial revolution.
Robotics, artificial intelligence, internet of things, 3. D printing, Nano technology, big-data, biotechnology, the vast researches about the maximum use of power of human m ind and nerv ous system are the motive forces of the fourth industrial revolution.
A significant public debate is being done in the media about the necessity of readiness and preparedness to enjoy the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution which is imminent.
18
Research based on W orld Bank data has predicted that while the technology is fundamentally reshaping the w orld, it could fundamentally disrupt the pattern the Traditional economic path from increasing productivity of agriculture to light manufacturing and then to full scale industria-lisation may not be possible to all developing countries. Research based on World Bank data has predicted that the proportion of job s threatened in India by automation is 69 %. In China it is 77 % and in Ethiopia it is 85 %. According to this research report the largest risk from automation lies with jobs like clerks, proof readers, jobs that can be easily replaced by soft-ware. Other new jobs at risk are those involving manual labour.
In a report released last year by Bank of America-Merrill Lynch it is warned that with indiscriminate automation the inequalities will become severe.
The researches of Oxf ord University found that, in the coming two decades there will be 35 % job losses to workers in Britain and 47 % job losses due to AI technology and automation.
The organisers of W orld Economic Forum too estimated that, within 5 years 70 lakhs of jobs will be lost and particularly women workers will lose jobs at a higher percentage.
These researchers insist and predict that the AI technology will have a devastating effect on the emp loyment prospects of developing countries with a grim future.
Even the Pope Francis addressing the world Economic Forum had to plead, to not to change this globe in to a desert without any flowers, fruits and trees with technology for the benefit and pleasure of few, but the fruits of technology shall reach to one and all and the social security of the poor has to be taken in to consideration.
Thus the AI technology of automation has been transformed in to a disruptive technology to the developing and poor countries. The developed industrial countries like Switzerland, Netherlands, Singapore, USA, Britain, Germany, France will be benefitting from it.
Already the introduction of Automation technology is creating panic stunning the world with the lay-offs. Foxconn the poster child of Chinese manufacturing with its announcement of 60,000 job cuts has stunned the world. The recent shock given by Volkswagen is to cut 30,000 jobs globally.
The introduction of robots in Chinese restaurants as waiters, cooks etc is a glaring example of the impending doom to job-seekers in future.
The introduction of a‘ Roomba’ robot that cleans rooms better than any manual labour is an indication how such automations will be a threat to the lively-hood of num erous house-maids and helpers at home. Security cameras are substituting watchmen.
Already the driverless cars introduced spell the doom of human car, truck and other automobile vehicle drivers. This is how artificial intelligence with technology is occupying the place of human operators; displacing them of their jobs. Robot surgery is gaining momentum. American company Telsa has readied itself to sell driverless cars in tens of thousands.
Class Struggle