We are entering the age of automation.

This is something that is an extension of the Industrial Revolution. Roughly a century ago, we saw the implementation of large scale machinery. Of course, this was relegated mostly to the manufacturing sector.

Computerization did something similar in the white collar arena. Both of these enhanced worker productivity.

Are we looking at something different?

While the majority appear to believe not, to me, things are different. Never have we seen the speed of innovation reach this level. At the same time, we are dealing with a couple new entities.

Indeed, we are embarking upon the age of automation.

The Age of Automation

Humanoid robots. Self driving cars. Drones.

All of these are going to be powered by AI. This will be the "brains" for the system. Here we are looking at the change from previous generations.

Self driving taxis will remove the human drivers from the car. The same is true for self driving trucks. I will grant the time until this occurs is down the road, especially for the latter. Nevertheless, it is, at most, a decade away.

Then we have physical workers. Humanoids are designed to mimic people. This makes sense since the world we constructed revolves around a bipedal species. Humans have two arms and legs. The robots being created today will be able to do everything the human counterparts can do. Again, it could take a while as the engineers are still working on things such as hands.

Once a humanoid can mirror a human, it is all over. There is no way for humans to keep pace. The learning curve for the robot is near infinite, limited only by bandwidth.

Everything one robot (on the network) does, all will learn. It is simply a matter of updating the software. Contrast that with the plight of dealing with humans. If one person leaves a company, training has to commence when someone else is hired.

This is no longer an issue in the age of automation.

Societal Shift

What does this all mean for society?

Eventually, my guess it is a vast improvement. Humanity improves due to our innovation. That said, we have to admit there are periods of disruption. It is not a straight line from where we stand to "utopia".

Naturally, we have to mention there is no utopia since humans still human. We cannot help ourselves and our need for conflict.

One subcategory of this is personalization. Everyone will have their own AI agents. This is likely the first wave. People are going to be able to do things in the digital world that were only fantasy a few years ago (at least for the masses). Coding requirements are lessening as AI is gaining in its ability. Front ends will be designed with this incorporated in, providing people with the capability to produce what is needed.

The physical world is going to change also, albeit at a slower pace. Dealing with atoms is not easy. Here is where the humanoid robots enter. If they are a replacement, in most areas, for humans, then each can have his or her individual robot.

Consider the tasks that you do manually and then envision having that automated. This is what is possible. In my mind, it is not if but rather when.

Simply looking this at a reality provides a much different look at the future. Here is why I think automation is a positive.

Our difficulties will be numerous on the path to a positive outcome. Disruption is never easy and more people tend to be affected than previously thought. Overall, however, the end result is an upward move for humanity.

Posted Using INLEO