The answer totally depends on what you do, so don’t panic, yet.
Believe it or not, some scientists believe we are as little as twenty years away from reaching human intelligence through machines and robotics, some think less, some think more, some suggest that 2050 is the point we should aspire to.
Because of the way we now learn, often through computers, gadgets and machines, we are continually building a knowledge base for the technology we use, and as we use them more, their intelligence will only improve. One opinion that is often stated is that computers are only as smart as the people who programme them, even if that intelligence is accumulated.
The point where a machine become more intelligent than humans is when they can think for themselves, make their own decisions, become self aware, communicate humanly, outsmart us and learn faster than us. Computers are beginning to absorb the world around them, and adapt to it.
So, could a machine do your job better?
Let’s try a few examples.
Taxi Drivers – Driverless vehicles are already in various stages of research and development and have proved a success so far. They use a combination of sensors and road mapping technology to know their place on the road, the space around them and where they are going. They can also give accurate arrival times and warn about traffic and congestion, as well as an awareness of speed cameras and other hazards. The days of the taxi driver may be numbered.
Accountants – Statistically speaking, this is the most likely job to be replaced by a machine first, as most parts of the job are easy to automate. Machines also have less room for numerical error and work faster and more efficiently than people.
This discovery was made by NPR news and Oxford University. Uh oh Accountants.
Waiters and Waitresses – Hotels and restaurants have already started using robots to deliver the food (and sometimes cook it). In some hotels, room service is all entered into the robot, which then takes the elevator and goes to the exact room, says hello to the guest, opens, and delivers the food. It is able to keep the food warmer than a person could upon delivery.
Ok, so it looks a bit gloomy, and it even gets a bit scary when you consider that armies all around the world are working on advanced warfare machines that can think, react and kill enemies during battle. What other industries are at risk? Modelling is one, construction is another, telemarketing is almost certainly going to be taken over too.
So who is safe?
If your job involves a high level of creativity, you are likely to be safe. Artists, graphic designers, writers (hooray!) and musicians, you can stop worrying. Nurses, therapists, paramedics, doctors or almost anyone in the care industry is unlikely to be replaced, although robot aids will continue to be developed. Politicians should be safe too, if robots become corrupt they must go in for repair, if politicians become corrupt, they just end up richer.
‘Safe’ may be a risky word choice, as it is inevitable that robots will one day learn how to be creative and also develop social intelligence that will allow them to care.
What is your job? Tweet us @KompaktUK to let us know if you think a machine could do your job better!