Automation

Automation will continue to evolve and advance into the future as producers and manufacturers demand productivity at a lower cost. Automation comes into play when control signals replace human capital to make a product. However, for automation technology to complete its intended purpose, it requires a unique form of human capital equipped with skills to troubleshoot, diagnose, and maintain these rapidly evolving systems.

Unfortunately, the United States has seen a recent shortage of trained individuals such as control technicians, who are qualified to maintain these high tech systems. In order for the United States to sustain its competitive edge in this field, it must correct its labor force shortages in manufacturing competency. It is estimated that half of the 5 million jobs that will be created in the next 10 years, will continue to be unfilled due to the reality of an aging work force and an increased amount of individuals facing retirement. Consequently, the up incoming workers projected to replace those who leave the labor force are less than qualified to fill in the gaps in today’s competitive environment.

In order to deter this issue, the government in conjunction with the manufacturing industry, and local school systems must make a concerted effort into reversing the trend. A trade and education technology policy must be put in place to set a target goal within the next 15 years to address the skills gap by considering the following recommendations that would usher the next generation of automation work force. Four areas that need improvement to preserve the U.S. automation industry are as follows:

a. The government should incentivize most 2 year institutions to award free attendance to students who display commitment to completing a course in manufacturing automation technology. Some institutions refer to these courses as Industrial Systems Technology or Mechatronics Technology. All of which are courses that imbed electrical, motor controls, Programmable Logic Controller, robotics, and mechanical into the program. A curriculum based in the previously stated fields will enhance the skills of individuals who are currently working and are interested in learning new skills, but are unable to afford training.

b. A second area of improvement that could benefit the automation industry, is if automation Companies bring back On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeship programs, and shadowing programs. Reintroducing the previously stated training/programs would provide those who are unable to attend a traditional classroom environment, an avenue to “earn while they learn”. This structure is particularly beneficial for individuals who need to support their family while simultaneously developing his or her skills by learning the fundamentals.

c. A third area of improvement must begin by placing emphasis on hiring and re-training veterans. The benefit of hiring/retraining veterans in this work force is that through military service, they are disciplined, skillful, and able to manage stress and thrive in a rigorous work setting. Furthermore, the benefits of hiring/training veterans include their ability to work well in a team environment. Moreover, veterans possess strong communication skills, and they understand the importance of time management which was developed during their military training.

d. A fourth solution to the shortage of workers in the automation technology field, can be found if prison reform is improved. For instance, Prison Reform could include provisions to allow certain qualified prisoners accused of lesser crimes, to take a rehabilitation training program in automation as an incentive for early release. As a result, later these individuals can be partnered with an industry sponsor. I believe that this is an un-tapped source of training and development for future automation technology workers. Doing so would reverse the trend of the decreasing number of automation technology workers; in addition to lowering the probability of repeat offenses that maybe be linked to unemployment and discrimination.

As far as the dominance of the United States in the global market place is concerned, possessing a trained industrial work force in the manufacturing sector is vital. Therefore, these three institutions must work hand in hand to achieve and sustain technological competiveness.

Moreover, as income grows and labor becomes expensive, the demand to automate becomes a reality. Unfortunately, China in particular is spending billions of dollars in automation and other technologies in an attempt to surpass the United States. According to a report by the Council on Foreign Relations, China projects to dominate the United States by 2025 in the following industries: artificial Intelligence, aerospace, semi-conductors, 5G Technology, and advanced manufacturing processes in the future generations of electric vehicles.

In closing, the issue of the deficient number workers in the Automation Technology industry in the U.S., can be deterred through a number of possible avenues. Those avenues include the government incentivizing a two year automation technology education, as well as OJT/apprenticeship programs, hiring veterans, and prison reform. That being said, change will not transpire in the automation technology industry if things remain the same and the United States does not take action to foster change.

Worldwide scales are experiencing a rush of population growth, this growth to the ecological balance shown against the environment and the exploitation of natural resources have sued implement new methods of construction using new technologies. (Big & Green: Toward Sustainable Architecture in the 21 SST Century). Sustainable or sustainable architecture seeks to optimize natural resources and building systems that minimize the environmental impact of buildings and their inhabitants in the environment.

The high energy demand and low production force s to focus on new technologies, methods and ways to economize, reduce costs and expenses. Among these proposals is Sustainable Architecture Think of It from the social environment; It Is what makes complex human, economic, cultural and environmental relationships. Sustainable design and construction are a specific, concrete example, I practice that can contribute to the Implementation of the complex concept of sustainability. (Rosaries Camas, Sustainable Design and Construction: Inescapable Reality).

The author makes clear the close relationship between sustainability and the role that the user takes socially speaking. The architect built based on a sustainable paradigm, but ultimately individuals are those who dwell, live and interact within buildings. These are what define how they are responsible for the environment and nature. Home and building automation The technological evolution of deferent disciplines, have enabled an Interaction of the same that has led to the concept of Intelligent building or home automation.

The combination of different disciplines to meet the new features and user requirements such as energy saving and automation thereof without affecting the way people live. Home and building automation: smart homes and buildings, Crisp¶bal Roomer Morale). Implementing these systems so that they have little impact on the social life of people but at the same time help improve the quality of them reducing the environmental impact by leveraging regulations energy consumption renewable energy.

Dimension Policy, Social, Economic. POLICY Reconfiguration of the city. A sustainable city Is defined as a city where there Is adequate mobility, energy conservation and water resources, reduced noise pollution, and creation of public life. Sustainable architecture has an impact on the political dimension by the limitation that is given to new technologies as the predominant practice of governments and institutions is self enrichment, and economically not suit them.

ECONOMIC Prefer local materials to promote the development of local industry and promote endogenous economy seeking to strengthen the internal capacity of a region or local community, to strengthen the society and economy from the inside out, to make it sustainable and sustainable SOCIAL The commitment that people have to the environmental impact. This implies the fact of how they will interact with the “sustainable” space and how effective it will be.

Automation is on an increase across all technologies and fields. This increase has led to the transformation, and the future role people play in Global workforce.

The rise of artificial intelligence will result in the need for new skills and roles. Some Skills and roles may disappear and others will evolve. Some industries may need more people and others may need less or none. The balance in human workforce will be impacted hard. Non-availability of required skills & re-skilling will disrupt the workforce in all industries. Organizations and people would need to adjust to this change.

While machines need to be built and maintained, artificial intelligence leads to job loss due to the skill gap and jobs eliminated by machines.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Workforce

Automation & Artificial intelligence will result in improvement of productivity and economic growth, but millions of people may need to switch occupation or upgrade themselves to stay in the global workforce.

Automation will have a far-reaching impact on the global workforce. By 2030 at a 15% midpoint level of automation adoption, 400 Million workers will be displaced by adoption of automation. According, to a 2-year independent study by the McKinsey Global Institute (Dec 2017). It is estimated that in 60% of the occupation almost one-third of the activities could be automated.

A SurveyMonkey poll on AI conducted for USA TODAY also had overtones of concern, with 73% of respondents saying that would prefer if AI was limited in the rollout of newer tech so that it doesn’t become a threat to humans. USA Today. (Jan. 2, 2018). Unfortunately, with the pace at which automation and artificial intelligence are growing, 3 to 14% (75 to 375 Million) of the workforce will need to change their occupational category.

Historical data on the technology shift

“Innovation has generally liberated humans to be more productive,” says Rep. John Delaney.

“Similar to the personal computer in the 1980s, AI will reshape our personal and business lives in such a dramatic manner, most companies today cannot comprehend the full impact,’ said Anand Rao, PwC US Data & Analytics Innovation leader.

Fear of technology advancement had always been there. From the textile revolution in 1811 with the advent of personal computers in 1980 world leaders and the Global workforce are worried about technological advancement. “The major challenge of the sixties is to maintain full employment at a time when automation is replacing men.” President Kennedy (1961).

Although there had been concerns, every time a technology shift has happened more jobs had been created than lost. When a workforce is shifted from the usual mundane jobs, they have focused on more creative and productive areas, resulting in the advent of the human race.

The past may not be an exact reflection of present or future. The advance of automation and artificial intelligence could be far reaching. A robot that could just build is different from a robot that could design and build.

Artificial intelligence, Skill Gap & Workforce Transition

To be successful in an automated world, Man & machine need to work together. One cannot replace the other. This would require new and niche skills with exceptional leadership skills. However, However, “77% of CEOs say they see the availability of key skills as the biggest business threat.” USA Today. (Jan. 2, 2018). According to an EY poll, 80% of the organization recognize the shortage of required talent to drive Artificial Intelligence adoption as the top challenge.

Technology and Innovation along with the on demand human capabilities like leadership, creativity, problem solving, and passion will make organizations thrive in the market. Eventually an automated world is a possibility, however in the process will create major ripples in the workforce. The change would go beyond Man versus Machine and require re-learning and retooling.

Impact on society

Large corporations like Apple, Amazon, and Facebook had refused to comment on Artificial Intelligence. However, they do have people tasked with monitoring Artificial Intelligence. Microsoft had announced that they have created a review board called Aether – AI and Ethics in Engineering and Research. USA Today. (Jan. 2, 2018).

Trusting and allowing Artificial Intelligence to control, drive cars and aeroplanes, and automated trading may eventually lead to AI taking control of learning and updating themselves resulting in an uncontrolled growth of machines. A study by McKinsey Global Institute (Dec 2017) suggests countries like China, India, USA and Germany will have more percentage of work activities displaced by automation.

A 38 % of automation achievement would throw some western democracies to authoritarian policies to control the civil chaos as suggested by Brookings institution. Calum McClelland (2018). Governments and policy makers should handle this situation carefully.

Conclusion

Even if we successfully transition, we would lose all jobs to artificial intelligence and automation. Being creative and keeping us educated will give a good chance in this changing world.

Reference

• Artificial intelligence: Doomsday scenario – or age of wonder? – USA Today. (Jan. 2, 2018)
• You can’t have a machine age without humans – PwC report – ENP Newswire. (Mar. 1, 2017)
• AI creates jobs, yet talent crisis remains, according to EY poll – ENP Newswire. (May 1, 2018)
• Jobs lost, Jobs gained: workforce transitions in a time of automation – McKinsey Global Institute (Dec 2017).

Home automation represents an enormous emerging market, and major brands are battling for pole position in the race for automation dominance. Just as Apple’s iPhone rules over the smartphone segment and dictates the direction of competitor brands, the home automation hub similarly will be the linchpin for an expansive selection of home automation and lifestyle gadgets.

Experts estimate that home automation will be a , a scenario that’s certainly piqued the interest of tech giants like Apple, Google and Amazon. A battle is brewing, and the war will be won by the first company that can design a fully-functioning smart home speaker hub while creating an inviting environment for outside developers and third party manufacturers. So, who will the winner be?

It’s Not Going to Be Apple

Two years ago, I was a firm believer in Apple’s strides in home automation, and I focused on building devices tailored only for Apple. After all, the company offered something other companies couldn’t: a plan for a smart home ecosystem which would allow device manufacturers, hackers and tech-savvy individuals to create products capable of seamless communication between the user and other devices.

Additionally, Apple’s massive user base and expansive market share meant there was real potential for profitable product development. At our company, we saw home automation as an enormous emerging market, and we believed Apple was the best road to that destination. Unfortunately, my startup found Apple’s policies and business model to be difficult, arduous and occasionally hostile, for a multitude of reasons.

First, in order to work with Apple, companies need to be certified and approved by their Made For iPod (MFi) program. MFi is a licensing application program originally launched in 2005 to regulate the plethora of third-party iPod accessories. It has since expanded to include all i-devices and Apple’s Home Kit home automation framework.

The MFi application can easily take a year to process, and HomeKit requires a separate certification. The HomeKit certification, which is operated manually and isn’t actually listed in Apple’s guidelines, will require at least an additional six months. When all the certification and licensing is complete, every single product requires an eight-week testing process before it’s market ready. And of course, there are certification-testing and licensing fees at each level.

If your company and product have actually managed to jump these hurdles without going out of business or becoming technologically irrelevant, congratulations. And if that’s not enough, Apple also mandates that device makers and manufacturers buy core components from its proprietary suppliers. In all my time in manufacturing and product development, I’ve never had a worse component supplier excruciatingly long lead times, unresponsive and ever-changing terms and conditions that make for a frustrating process to put it mildly.

Apple’s suppliers aren’t the only party guilty of changing agreed-upon terms. Apple itself frequently alters its testing requirement and HomeKit SDK. That’s why HomeKit eligible third-party products are so scarce. There are only 18 companies currently certified to make HomeKit devices. Among those 18, a total of 48 products have become available for purchase, and many of those products are very similar to one other. A quick  hardly diverse enough to meet consumer needs when it comes to something as wide-reaching and customizable as home automation. So, it seems that Apple may be slowly changing its ways, by taking a page out of Amazon’s playbook and .

Amazon Has an Advantage

Amazon has hopped into the driver’s seat in the race for home automation dominance. How? It’s eschewed Apple’s traditional walled-garden approach, instead opting for a community-driven, open platform. Here’s an example: When my company, TikTeck, decided to make its LED Smart Light Alexa compatible, all Amazon required was a form, which took 15 minutes to complete. That’s it. No extra costs and no time-consuming certification process. Contrast that with dealing with Apple, where our HomeKit project is not yet ready after 18 months of development.

Amazon Alexa debuted more than a year after Apple’s home automation offerings became available. Despite that, a quick Google search shows that Alexa has considerably more compatible products available for purchase. Simply put, Amazon has made Alexa much more developer-friendly. Its tech support forum is extremely efficient, and my questions always answered within a few hours exponentially quicker than with Apple. I’ve even been able to meet in-person with Paul Cutsinger, who is on the Alexa team, to get help with software or hardware issues. Amazon’s open-arms welcome to developers and manufacturers is a refreshing experience, particularly after the excruciating process of obtaining a HomeKit certification.

Massive consumer traffic is a big asset that can be effectively harnessed by Amazon to entice smart home consumers. They can easily source, and build Alexa compatible products and their open-source API can help Alexa become the standard in home automation hubs as the product’s variety of skills, like controlling your thermostat or controlling your lights, has now surpassed 300.

It’s a similar approach to . Create the platform or the technology, and open it to others so your proprietary design becomes the flag-bearer that others follow. While Alexa’s text-to-speech has received considerable praise, there’s still a need to refine and improve the artificial intelligence (AI) because the product is still liable to stumble with some seemingly simple questions or requests. If Amazon wins, that victory will be largely due to the company’s advantage as a consumer destination.

Don’t Forget Google

Amazon does not currently possess the technical capabilities of Google, when it comes to creating high-end autonomous robots. The scope of Google’s projects  from mapping the entire world to pioneering self-driving cars  suggests that developing a high-quality AI home automation hub is right in line with its abilities. Google has arguably the best AI engine in the world and its opensource machine-learning system, , shows immense promise in smart home automation.

Imagine giving your home the ability to learn from your behavior. It will get to know your daily routine, and it will anticipate what you want and when you want it. Maybe that desire is simply turning on the coffee maker before you wake up, or adjusting the heat, when you leave or return to your home. With , a speaker hub won’t always be the centerpiece for an automated home. Optical machine learning will read your facial expression to anticipate what you want, eliminating the need to talk to a speaker.

Additionally, Google’s massive developer ecosystem provides a big boost in leading the home automation pack. Its impressive developer base means it will be able to create a diverse set of applications and functions to fit the ever-changing needs of people and homes with more intuition and practicality than Alexa. If it integrates Google Home into its next Android update, its consumer reach will expand dramatically. Unfortunately, its Google Home device is a bit late to the market. It’s slated to release in fall 2016, while Amazon’s Echo has already sold three million units since its 2014 debut.

The Cost Barrier Is Too High

Your average consumer does not have the disposable income required for Amazon Echo’s $180 price tag, particularly when there are home automation growing pains. Comprehensive integration with other devices still requires some development. Amazon recently a move that promises to expedite the usefulness and real-world application of the Echo but also allows competitors and copycats to access the programming behind Alexa.

Either way, open platforms are great for consumers. Accessibility and widespread use lowers costs for manufacturers and consumers alike. Amazon and Google both have a track record of releasing low-cost products to acquire large market shares. For Google, . For Amazon, .  A similar move in the smart-home automation segment provides a unique opportunity to win the race before it’s even started.

In the end, open platforms, which are welcoming to developers and programmers alike, are proving critical in creating a diverse home-automation ecosystem that appeals to people of all backgrounds. Beyond that, price point will define the winner. With the wide-ranging monetization possibilities brought on by home automation, ranging from services and subscriptions to integrated appliances, the company that can bring its automation hub down to $50 will win the race. Hands-down.

There are a number of benefits in adopting an automated system especially for accounting practices. To succeed in a very competitive global market, an organization needs to deliver its services and goods on time and hopefully at a low cost. One way of achieving this objective is to maximize all the resources that are available and use them to the company’s advantage.

Using an automated accounting system can reduce time, costs, and human resources devoted to manual recording of transactions. Because accounting work is most often cyclic and repetitive, coming up with a template that will cover the requirements of the reports will allow for an easier and faster preparation. The tediousness in report preparation will somehow be lessened and will give employees additional time to attend to other important matters.

One other benefit that may also be derived is to minimize errors resulting from manual and repetitive actions. Reports may already be linked for automatic consolidation and other computations and designed in such a way that one entry will automatically adjust other related entries.

Automated systems also allow for better and more efficient analysis. Because numbers are updated real-time, management can easily prepare analysis needed for any strategic plans, whether short-term or long-term. Using the right tools, various scenario projections may be used to come up with a more informed plan.

The following are the tools and functions used in the EXCEL report:

1. Formatting
   1. Automatic column width adjustment
   2. Numbering style to show two decimal places only and in (red font) for a negative value
   3. Percentage style to show two decimal places only and in (red font) for a negative value
   4. Font style for titles and table headings
   5. Highlighting values
2. Functions and Calculations
   1. Linkage of numbers across different worksheets. Numbers in worksheets ‘task 1, task 2, task 3’ are linked to the corresponding columns in ‘data’ worksheet to ensure that same reference is being used and numbers are consistent in the various reports.
   2. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division functions in all worksheets to compute for required results
   3. ‘Copy and paste’ functions used in copying column headers in ‘data’ worksheet and transposing their values to show them as row headers in ‘task’ worksheets

One were to take a look around the room they are currently in, chances are there would be some form of artificial Intelligence present. From cell phones to computers – artificial Intelligence Is everywhere and even a way of life. The next generation of people may never know what life is without some form of intelligence embedded into their everyday schedule and routines. Perhaps the coffee pot that brews their caffeinated beverage every morning is programmed in such a way that they don’t even have to touch it.

Originally, however, it was programmed by a human. Robots may indeed be programmed intelligently, but robots can never replace humans. According to Kevin Money, It Is said that “Google and a lot of other companies believe robots today are like cell phones back when they were the size of bricks and cost $6,000. It may take 10 or 20 years, but before long everybody is going to have a robot – or several” (Money, 2013). Robots work alongside human beings to ensure accuracy, precision, and skill that human beings cannot perform on their own.

Dan Lyons states that, “From self-service checkout lines at the supermarket to industrial robots armed with saws and taught to carve up animal carcasses In slaughter-houses, these ever- ore-Intelligent machines are now not Just assisting workers but actually kicking them out of their jobs. Automation isn’t just affecting factory workers, either. Some law firms now use artificial intelligence software to scan and read mountains of legal documents, work that previously was performed by highly paid human lawyers. Surely, robots are designed to assist humans, but can they really replace them? Author Michael Brooks writes about Hugh Lobber, a philanthropist from New York, whose goal Is to create total unemployment for all human beings throughout the world. “He wants robots to do all the work. And the first step towards that is to develop computers that seem human when you chat to them. It’s not a new idea. Alan Turing is credited with the first explicit outline of what is now called the Turing test.

A human judge sits down at a computer and has a typed conversation with an entity that responds to whatever the Judge types. If that entity is a computer, but the judge thinks It’s a person, the conversational computer program passes the test (Brooks, 2013). ” Human beings are highly flawed creatures and they often make mistakes. Robots, on the other hand, are computers – they execute a skill, time and mime again, without flaw, for the most part. That’s why they are often used in medical settings, so that doctors can have the assistance of a robot to help execute a task.

Dan Lyons states, “surgeons are using robotic systems to perform an ever-growing list of operations–not because the machines save money but because, thanks to the greater precision of robots, the patients recover In less time and have fewer complications, says Dry. Miriam Cure. ” However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that robots are going to replace humans. “The surgery bots don’t replace surgeons?you still need a surgeon to drive the robot” (Lyons, 2013). Unfortunately, computers are computers, and one day, they will crash. It may not happen right away, but eventually, there will be a glitch, a mistake, or an entire shutdown.

Computers do not have a will or desire to complete a task, so they are only as good as they are programmed. In fact, there are many attributes that computers simply cannot intelligent as they may seem. It is inaccurate to think that a computer may genuinely mimic or replace a human, because they simply don’t have mental skills. A robot may be programmed to respond to certain types of tones, words, or body language, but he beautiful thing about human beings is that they can come up with their own responses on their own – no matter what the stimulus may be.

According to Greg Egan, it is healthier to communicate with a real human being rather than an artificially intelligent one. He states that, “The art of conversation, of listening attentively and weighing each response, is not a universal gift, any more than any other skill. Honing one’s conversational skills with a computer–discovering your strengths and weaknesses while enjoying a chat with a character that is no less interesting for failing to exist–might well lead to better conversations with fellow unmans” (Egan, 2014).

This is significant because human beings need this sort of interaction for mental health and stability. If one were connected to a robot, rather than a human, they would get a false sense of reality. Michael Brooks feels the same way about it. He says, “When we talk to each other, whether it’s about last night’s TV or the wisdom of a military strike on Syria, we are doing something far harder than sending a rocket to the moon. We did the moon-shot decades ago but we still can’t make a machine that will hold a decent conversation” (Brooks, 2013). Human beings make mistakes. It is simply a part of human nature.

If a human was around a robot that didn’t make mistakes, or wasn’t “human” enough, then the person would become uncomfortable. According to The Economist, “To keep human workers at ease, collaborative robots should also have an appropriate size and appearance. Collaborative, humanoid robots should generally be no larger than a six-year-old, a size most adults reckon they could overpower if necessary. Large eyes make robots seem friendlier and, crucially, more aware of their surroundings. ” This goes to show the relationships that humans have with each other: the bigger and stronger a arson seems to be, the more intimidating they become.

There is a trust issue that takes place within the need for big eyes to seem friendlier and the need to be aware of current surroundings. Isn’t one of the greatest parts of being human the ability to judge character and decide, individually, who is frightening and untrustworthy and who is not? The article also adds, “But overly humanoid features can lead to problematically unrealistic expectations. ” So, if the robot were to randomly burst into flames, then the human would no longer trust it. Alas, assuming the robot could be rusted in the first place would lead to unrealistic expectations – expectations that are not human enough to exceed.

Robots are unique because they are programmed. Humans are unique because they are not – meaning they are able to think for themselves and make mistakes. The Economist states that it is important to give robots “A defining human trait–the ability to make mistakes. Amah Salem programmed a humanoid Asimov robot, made by Honda, to make occasional harmless mistakes such as pointing to one drawer while talking about another. When it comes to household robots, test subjects prefer those that err over infallible ones, Dry Salem says. This is significant to see that humans prefer robots to be more human-like by making mistakes because it makes the person more comfortable. It is almost laughable, because a human is such prone to error, so the robot might as well be, they would prefer a robot to make a mistake would mean that they are searching for that connection – a connection that would sound something like, “we are only human” and they shrug it off and feel comforted again. Although robots are indeed artificially intelligent and have many technological capabilities, they still can never be exactly eke humans or completely replace humans.

They may be able to help doctors and surgeons, factory workers, and make life a little easier in the everyday world, but they simply cannot mimic humans. Therefore, the idea of connecting with a robot should be thrown out the window, along with the idea of making a robot make mistakes on purpose for the comfort of the nearest human being. What the nearest human being needs is to connect with the next human being and have a reassuring conversation that they will not lose their Job to a robot – unless they fail to program their robot ropey.

Contemporary society is continually informed of advances in technology, be they in biology, agriculture, education, or nearly any other discipline or aspect of life. It appears technology is directly or indirectly linked to all recent progress. Certainly, many of the daily activities in which humans engage (reading a newspaper, making coffee, commuting to work, etc. ) require technological devices. With the apparently increased reliance on and development of technology, it seems prudent to consider the consequences inherent in the use and evolution of it.

More specifically, one must examine the extent to which humans–the creators of technology, will become redundant in a society in which machines and the tasks they perform are incapable of being extracted from daily routines. As with nearly all issues, the development of technology is advocated by many while it is strongly opposed by others. Regarding the former, one must not search far for arguments favoring technological progress. Proponents, particularly those favoring medical advances, eagerly enumerate the positive outcomes of technological breakthroughs.

Some claim a society in which its members are born free of debilitating conditions or cured of them throughout the life p must certainly be a better civilization, or at least a more humane one. In addition, technological efforts to render crops more plentiful, nutritious, and resistant to pests is proclaimed a constructive step towards moral justice, not to mention efficient use of resources. Few deny the moral obligation of providing third world nations the skills and tools to produce food.

On a more superficial yet paradoxically significant level, the conveniences made possible by technology are also cause for celebration. That they free humans of otherwise labor intensive tasks and allow many to enjoy other more ‘worthwhile’ endeavors, such as leisure activities, is beyond question. In fact, without many currently employed machines, humans would not be able to engage in such a wide variety of daily pursuits. Considering the individual, societal, and global advantages available through technological advances, it is not surprising many favor its continued development.

Without ignoring or denying many of the mentioned benefits of technology, it is nonetheless possible to persuasively argue that its unbridled expansion can and is eliminating the need for many human activities and purposes. Ironically, while technology may solve some of humanity’s ills (for example, relieving humans from tedious and laborious tasks), by doing such at an alarming pace it is also creating unanticipated and insistent problems.

Consider the economic consequences of increased technological use. This trend, although allowing for undeniably greater productivity and reduced costs, gives rise to a potent social issue: mass unemployment. On a nearly daily basis one is informed of human redundancy; business is steadily replacing its human workforce with one derived from technology. It is common knowledge that in many industries, machines are adequate and oftentimes better substitutes for humans.

Moreover, as machinery becomes more ubiquitous in the workplace, ‘the role of humans as the most important factor of production is bound to diminish in the same way that the role of horses in agricultural production was first diminished and then eliminated by the introduction of tractors’ (Rifkin 283). The replacement of human workers with machines is not limited to a few companies or industries; it is found throughout a nation’s business network.

More than 75 percent of the labor force in most industrial nations engage in work that is little more than simple repetitive tasks’ (Rifkin 283). Such jobs are particularly susceptible to ‘machine takeovers’. In fact, ‘automated machinery, robots, and increasingly sophisticated computers can perform many, if not most, of these jobs’ (Rifkin 283). However, the unskilled labor force, particularly that in the manufacturing sector, is not the only one vulnerable to redundancy.

As companies restructure their operations to include more computers and high-tech machinery, middle management positions are concurrently declining (Rifkin 284). In a recent article, The Wall Street Journal reiterates this phenomenon by claiming that ‘most of the cuts are facilitated, in one way or another, by new software programs, better computer networks and more powerful hardware that allow companies to do more with fewer workers’ (Rifkin 282).