Tag: manufactur

Humanities and the Rise of Robots

Humanities and the Rise of Robots

The threat that recent advances in job automation , machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) represent for human workers is becoming more and more relevant in the economic and social debate.

CEOs like John Cryan of Deutsche Bank clearly state that robots can replace thousands of workers. In two different interviews, Cryan said that “in our banks, we have people behaving like robots doing mechanical things. Tomorrow we’re going to have robots behaving like people” and that “we’re too manual, which can make you error-prone and it makes you inefficient. There’s a lot of machine learning and mechanisation that we […]

Let’s not overlook new source of living-wage jobs for our region

Let’s not overlook new source of living-wage jobs for our region

Linda Jorgenson Like most of rural America, the last three decades have not been particularly prosperous ones for Ashland and Bayfield counties. In 2017, both counties still struggle to replace “living wage” jobs like those we lost in the paper and wood products industries in the 1990s. With some exceptions, retail, human services, health care, agriculture and the tourism hospitality sectors have not been able to compensate at that $20-30/hour manufacturing level. The median wage in Ashland County is $19/hour and in Bayfield County it is $22/hour, meaning half the families earn less than this amount and half earn […]

Will automation cause technological unemployment?

Will automation cause technological unemployment?

Technological unemployment occurs when the adoption of new technology causes job losses. Automation is a process of using robots, AI and machines to take the place of workers – not just in manufacturing, but increasingly new avenues – even in the service sector. The pace of automation is causing job disruption – with workers – especially in manufacturing losing jobs.

Any good economist will be well-acquainted with the Luddite Fallacy – the argument that new technology destroys jobs in the long-run is not true. Back in the nineteenth century, skilled artisans went around smashing spinning machines – machines which were […]

Automation is a job creator — check with Amazon.com

Automation is a job creator — check with Amazon.com

Workers prepare customer orders for dispatch inside an Amazon.co.uk fulfillment center in England. Rather than fear automation, State Sen. Steve Glazer says, Californians should embrace how technology will improve the workforce.

Amazon.com’s nationwide search for a second corporate headquarters site is getting a lot of attention. And with good reason: The company says the new headquarters will generate 50,000 high-paying jobs.

The initiative is only the latest move by Amazon to create tens of thousands of new jobs. The company has been one of the biggest job creators in California, and the nation, for many years.But here’s something else about Amazon: […]

Walmart’s relentless march to automation is coming for the late-night cleaning crew

Walmart’s relentless march to automation is coming for the late-night cleaning crew

Walmart has over 4,600 stores in the US. Between its Supercenters (187,000 sq ft on average), Discount Stores (104,000 sq ft), Neighborhood Markets (42,000 sq ft), and Sam’s Clubs (134,000 sq ft), that’s a lot of shopping aisles to keep clean.

That might be why the US’s largest private-sector employer is testing out self-driving mechanical floor scrubbers during overnight shifts in five of its stores near its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to a post by LinkedIn managing editor Chip Cutter. The machine, named EMMA, roams around the store like the cross between a Zamboni and a Roomba .

The machine […]

From Manual Procedures to Machines — The Role of AI and Automation in Project Management

From Manual Procedures to Machines — The Role of AI and Automation in Project Management

Artificial intelligence, automation, industrial robotics and the similar emerging technologies are growing at an alarming speed, but there has been inconsiderable concentration to their effect on employment and other organizational practices. Despite the fact that these technologies can upgrade the speed, cost, and quality of the products and services, the fact is they may also expel a huge numbers of employees.

A recent user survey revealed that around 85% of respondents believe that AI and automation will transform their job in the coming three years. 83% of those inspected said they were excited, but 84% also stated feeling suspicious.

The purpose […]

Automation and AI – What does the future of work look like?

Automation and AI – What does the future of work look like?

Our news and activity streams are buzzing with articles, blogs, analyst reports and social media hype around the topic of “AI”. It’s a fairly loosely defined topic that covers an enormous spectrum of disciplines, from big data and predictive analytics, to machine learning, natural language processing, automation and robotics. Depending on who you listen to, it’s either the most important technological breakthrough since the invention of electricity, or it heralds the end of civilisation as we know it! Extreme scenarios are most certainly fantasies and should be discounted. The most likely outcome is neither extremely negative nor extremely positive.

What […]

Automation not about losing jobs, corporates say

Automation not about losing jobs, corporates say

A humanoid robot works side by side with employees in the assembly line at a factory of Glory Ltd, a manufacturer of automatic change dispensers, in Kazo, north of Tokyo July 1, 2015. — Reuters pic KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — The advent of “disruptive” technology, particularly the anticipated arrival of artificial intelligence and robotics, has sparked global fears of mass job losses and worsening income disparity.

But to optimistic industry and tech players, the fear may be exaggerated.

Panellists at a forum discussing the future of work here say automation may not necessarily be a zero-sum game.While traditional jobs — […]

MSM economics reaches for peak stupid

MSM economics reaches for peak stupid

I’m happy to say that we’ve reached MSM peak stupid thanks to Greg Jericho : So yes, we are seeing a solid increase in employment, but this is not resulting in a rise in overall average incomes like we would expect and as a result we are not seeing a similar boost in spending or consumer confidence. And when you throw in to the mix the fact that wages growth across the board is down it makes for a disconnect between the unemployment rate and our desire to spend. But perhaps there is some hope. Often when talking of […]

Bid to Revive U.S. Solar Factories Faces Familiar Job-Killer

Bid to Revive U.S. Solar Factories Faces Familiar Job-Killer

Macau | Group submit petition to complain application requirements for social housing Bloomberg – A bankrupt Georgia company is pushing to revive U.S. solar manufacturing with a trade case that’s headed for the president’s desk.

The simmering dispute from Suniva Inc. stands a good chance of leading to import tariffs, but don’t expect that to bring the jobs back.

While at least six Asian solar companies say the prospect of trade barriers has them weighing the idea of opening factories in the U.S., they’re likely considering highly automated facilities that won’t need armies of workers.Advanced manufacturing techniques and surging production, especially […]