Robots?

I was searching the news today and I came across something that was funny at first and then made me think. Computerworld posted an article that was picked up by the World News entitled, "U.S. Agency Sees Robots Replacing Humans in Service Jobs by 2025."

Sounds funny, right? Well, the article is actually quite compelling. The United States National Intelligence Council released a report titled "Global Trends 2025: A Transforming World." The report, according to Patrick Thibodeau, encompasses challenges the U.S. will face in world markets, environmental impacts, and of course, domestic changes.

As hilarious as it must have sounded to citizens who were told the Earth was round, the report eludes to advances in robotics technology that will eliminate many low-skill jobs. According to the NIC the statement "would you like fries with that," may soon by uttered by a piece of technology. It seems like a sweeping claim, but when you think about it many industries - IT, manufacturing, telecommunications - have all become increasingly automated. The change in personnel will undoubtedly cause some problems, but may also provide tangible benefits.

If machines are able to affect unskilled labour markets as much as predicted then issues from immigration to unemployment to homelessness will all be drastically impacted. I have no doubt that as technology evolves the world will adapt. And it need not be negative. Automated technology may have benefits for things like agriculture and medicine to name a few. Nevertheless, is scary to think that robots seen in television and movies for decades may actually be a reality soon enough.