Tag: productivity

As America’s labor market faces fundamental change, it’s time to consider a universal basic income

As America’s labor market faces fundamental change, it’s time to consider a universal basic income

Robots on a grid at an Ocado fullfilment center in the U.K. where the company has about 600,000 active customers. Ocado entered into an exclusive partnership with Kroger to build the automated online grocery fulfillment centers in the U.S. COVID-19, in a matter of weeks, has stripped us bare of any illusion that we have it all figured out. Societal inequity has been thrust center stage, from the number of people one crisis away from poverty to the clear racial inequity in the disease’s disparate impact on communities of color.

In a strange paradox we were shown just how wide […]

Ethiopia: Technology’s Impact On the Labor Market

Ethiopia: Technology's Impact On the Labor Market

Though an outright conclusion cannot be reached on the argument that technological surge affects the labor market adversely and put millions of labors out of the loop, there are many concerns that technological innovation will lead to increased unemployment, suppressed wages and greater inequality.

New technologies, as they hold immense promise, are also seen as a threat, potentially disrupting labor markets and contributing to income inequality. The biggest public fear is that robots and Artificial Intelligence /AI/ will replace human jobs on a large scale, resulting in mass unemployment or underemployment–and, consequently, widespread impoverishment around the globe. In fact, labor […]

What can Artificial Intelligence do for horticulture?

What can Artificial Intelligence do for horticulture?

Orchard businesses are making decisions all the time. When to apply water? What pests or diseases are present and when to apply control measures? Where is labour coming from? At the same time, growers are balancing costs with returns.

In another edition of APAL’s highly successful webinar series, which has been attended by over 200 people, Dr Zygmunt Szpak, from the University of Adelaide’s Institute for Machine Learning noted Artificial Intelligence’s ability to turbo charge observations made in the orchard. There is no question that A.I is a large part of the future of horticultural production. Opportunities for smart tools […]

What We Owe Essential Workers

What We Owe Essential Workers

The low-wage workers who make up nearly half of the US workforce have long been neglected, steadily falling behind highly educated workers in expanding industries such as technology, finance, and entertainment.

Since the 1970s, real (inflation-adjusted) wages have stagnated for prime-age men with less than a college education, and declined significantly for those with a high-school education or less.

Many of these workers find themselves on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, where they serve as hospital orderlies, nursing home aides, warehouse and delivery workers, and grocery clerks.Now that there has been a groundswell of (belated) appreciation for their contributions […]

Robotic automation potential catalyst for jobs growth in Malaysia

Robotic automation potential catalyst for jobs growth in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – Artificial intelligence (AI) and collaborative robots or “Cobots” can potentially increase jobs in the Malaysian economy by spawning new industries, innovations and developments, says Universal Robots (UR), as reported on Bernama.

The Denmark-based cobot technology market leader said if properly deployed, cobots could expand the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the economy, increase the number of high-skilled workers, as well as strengthen innovation and capacity of workers.

“Cobots actually relieve human workers from strenuous and repetitive tasks, so that they can take on better, more exciting roles within the company.“With cobots helping to increase productivity, companies often find themselves […]

Robotic automation potential catalyst for jobs growth in Malaysia

Robotic automation potential catalyst for jobs growth in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): Artificial intelligence (AI) and collaborative robots or “Cobots” can potentially increase employment in the Malaysian economy by spawning new industries, innovations and developments, says Universal Robots (UR).

The Denmark-based cobot technology market leader said if properly deployed, cobots could expand the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the economy, increase the number of high-skilled workers, as well as strengthen innovation and capacity of workers.

“Cobots actually relieve human workers from strenuous and repetitive tasks, so that they can take on better, more exciting roles within the company.“With cobots helping to increase productivity, companies often find themselves in a position […]

Is AI Contributing to Climate Change and Delaying People Coming out of Poverty?

Is AI Contributing to Climate Change and Delaying People Coming out of Poverty?

AI has become the buzzword of the world, and an integral part of almost every company’s digital transformation agenda. AI users have become producers of AI tools and services. Corporate leaders and even the White House have come with forward with a directive on promotion, promulgation, and advancement of artificial intelligence.

On February 11, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order 13859 announcing the American AI Initiative. Executive Order 13859 is the United States’ national strategy on artificial intelligence. 4000+ companies in the world are in the business of producing AI tools, products and services. AI and its impact on climate […]

Top CNC Machining Industry Trends For 2020 And Beyond

Top CNC Machining Industry Trends For 2020 And Beyond

The global Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine market is expected to reach a staggering $117 billion by 2027 . Simultaneously, the CNC industry is rapidly evolving, implementing modern-day technologies designed to increase precision, efficiency, reduce waste, and cycle time. The growing need for reducing operating costs of production capacities, human resources, and errors in component production, led to the growth of manufacturing automation and higher demand for latest technology CNC machines. In the meantime, numerous huge manufacturing facilities are increasingly utilizing CNC lathes to perform cutting, drilling, knurling, deformation, facing, and turning operations, all while producing finished components or […]

As pandemic drags on, interest in automation surges

As pandemic drags on, interest in automation surges

Today, the U.S. exceeded three million COVID-19 cases and 132,000 deaths. In several states, new hotspots have rolled back plans to reopen businesses. The novel coronavirus has — and will continue — to profoundly impact the way we live and work.

For the moment, that includes a shift in the employment status of many Americans. More than 50 million people have filed for unemployment since mid-March. And while many states have made efforts to reopen businesses and return some sense of normality, these moves have led to a spike in cases and may prolong the pandemic and its ongoing economic […]

Automation and the Future of Employment

Automation and the Future of Employment

Are robots going to steal your job? No. However, they already have. Think about it. From customer service to transportation, there are tons of instances where machines have replaced humans. Both automation and artificial intelligence are going to significantly impact the job market of the future.

Automation is not a new concept. Think about the industrial revolution. The increased accessibility to machinery eliminated many employment opportunities. Automation vs. AI

People often get confused about the differences between AI and automation . By definition, automation is the implementation of hardware or software that allows for automated actions. In contrast, artificial intelligence […]