In 30 Years Robots Will Force Half The World Into Unemployment, What Does It All Mean For Humanity?
A prominent scientist, Moshe Vardi, says that in just 30 years, robots will take half of the world’s current jobs. This means that half of the world’s population will be unemployed and will create the “greatest challenge ever” in regards to exactly what humanity will do once robots prove they can do it all. Vardi notes that robots are quickly replacing the common worker and with artificial intelligence increasing, it is only a matter of time before robots take over the role as breadwinner for the family. With humans unneeded for common jobs, what will humanity do with all their free time in a world that doesn’t require their blood, sweat and tears?
Why don’t you robots just go home? https://t.co/gLL4nknEu8
— OWSweek (@OWSweek) February 15, 2016
The Daily Mail reports that scientist Moshe Vardi is speaking out about the problems associated with artificial intelligence and robots taking over the workforce. Part of the challenge Vardi notes from a workforce full of AI is a lack of need for humans to work. Instead, the scientists notes that humans may find themselves in a “leisure-only” lifestyle that may leave many feeling unfulfilled.
“I believe that society needs to confront this question before it is upon us: if machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do? A typical answer is that if machines will do all our work, we will be free to pursue leisure activities. I do not find this a promising future, as I do not find the prospect of leisure-only life appealing. I believe that work is essential to human well-being.”
Vardi says that working is part of human identity and stripping away that aspect of human nature would strip away something “essential” to the well-being of the human population as a whole. Therefore, Vardi says that we should begin preparing now for ways to fulfill these needs while realizing that with technology advancing rapidly, robots and AI will be commonplace in the workforce. He notes that this challenge of making something for humanity beyond a “leisure-only” lifestyle will be important and could be the “greatest challenge ever” for humanity at large.
“Humanity is about to face perhaps its greatest challenge ever, which is finding meaning in life after the end of “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread. We need to rise to the occasion and meet this challenge.”
‘robot journalists’ are writing their own stories now. What about tomorrow? + Unemployment?https://t.co/aAYGIqJ6gu pic.twitter.com/KNyBolN4qq
— Aureliano Marta (@ClickGetit) February 4, 2016
To paint an even bleaker picture of exactly where technology may be taking humanity, Vardi points out that it is the middle class worker that will feel the pain first. It was noted that with artificial intelligence taking the place of many middle class “white collar” jobs in the near future, it will make income inequality all the greater.
“The pace of progress in artificial intelligence was increasing, even as the same technology was eliminating growing numbers of middle-class ‘white collar’ jobs and driving up income inequality.”
In fact, Vardi explains that an estimated 260,000 robots working in factories across the continent already. However, the researcher says that despite increases in robot workers, the unemployment rate is lower than ever. Have humans already found a way to create new jobs as technology increases the use of AI in the workforce?
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Others scientists such as Stephen Hawking have expressed grave concern about the future of AI and claim that it could even spell the end of humanity as a whole.
What do you think about the prospect of robots taking over 50 percent of the current jobs on the market? Will humanity just create new jobs and new opportunities for the human race, or will robots spell the end to work as we know it? Are you concerned about the potential increase in income inequality due to artificial intelligence in the workforce? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
[Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images]
