Will robots replace employees? The experts’ statements are surprising
For many people, robots in Polish companies are a distant futuristic future. Employers have a different opinion, for whom modern devices are a very good solution to fill vacancies in companies. Entrepreneurs are testing a construction robot, a sales robot, a warehouse robot, and robots of other specializations with which we will soon cooperate. Employees are afraid that one robot will take the place of several previously employed people.
This event received wide coverage on social media. Last week, one of the largest grocery store chains in Poland opened its 10,000th store. The Poznań facility used a number of innovative solutions, and one of them was the Robbie robot, created to order by Żabka, which, based on artificial intelligence solutions, served hot dogs to customers.
Robots appear in companies. They are supposed to support employees
Consumer interest in the machine is very high, many of them want to test the robot. Just select the size of the hot dog, sausage and sauce, and then confirm your order. Photos of the robot working behind the counter quickly circulated the Internet. It was not the only device that attracted the attention of Internet users.
A few days ago, Budimex finished work on an innovative project aimed at creating a mobile robot supporting workers on construction sites. Powered by an ecological engine, the gesture-controlled structure is equipped with 360-degree cameras, lidar and sensors that allow it to work even at night.
Robots are supposed to make life easier and be available 24 hours a day
The robot is being tested at the construction site of the Military Clinical Hospital in Krakow. The machine will perform various tasks, from moving heavy objects to painting, assembling formwork and drilling holes. Labor market specialists announce that construction works will soon bring the construction industry into the “Next Generation” era.
Both Żabka and Budimex argue that the robots they are introducing are intended to make life easier, be user-friendly and available 24 hours a day. Experts speak in a similar tone. In their opinion, technology already plays a key role today, as it not only guarantees the quality of work performed, but also increases safety and ensures constant availability for both employers and recipients.
The giant is testing the robot. The moving device grabs and moves parcels
The American e-commerce giant intends to introduce a revolution in parcel deliveries and logistics. Amazon is already testing robots in warehouses that are designed to help employees in the most repetitive tasks. According to Business Insider, the Digit robot walks, grabs and carries packages weighing up to 16 kg. Many people are delighted with the role of robotization and process automation in companies, which is constantly increasing year by year. However, concerns are increasingly being heard that devices may replace people in their daily work.
Concerns about the role that robotization and artificial intelligence may play in the labor market also result from the data of the 53rd Labor Market Monitor conducted by Randstad. – According to our study, those most at risk from the development of AI are cashiers and salespeople (31%), office and administrative workers (24%), and unskilled workers (23%). – says Monika Hryniszyn, Regional HR leader Northern Europe & Global Talent at Randstad. – It is clearly visible that the greatest concerns about work in the face of the development of AI are among representatives of professions in which work can easily be automated – he adds.
Robots or AI will not replace all employees. This industry is not afraid of them
In her opinion, education workers feel most confident. As much as 59 percent representatives of this industry say they are not afraid of losing their jobs due to the development of artificial intelligence, because their work requires skills that are difficult to automate: interpersonal skills, creativity, conflict resolution skills. However, as AI continues to develop, the competencies required from employees in all industries will certainly change.
– Therefore, employees face the challenge of professional adaptation, and employers face the challenge of implementing AI tools simultaneously with effective training for employees. Only in this way will enterprises be able to fully exploit the opportunities offered by the new technology – points out Monika Hryniszyn.
The robot will support employees. Just like a dishwasher does today
In turn, Amazon representatives admit that the type of work performed will change in the near future, but robots will not displace people from enterprises. “I believe that in the future, the cooperation of such machines and people will be complementary. Robots will do repetitive work, and people will have more time for what is really important.” – says Tye Brandy from Amazon Robotics on the website. He compared the robot revolution in companies and the tasks performed by the devices to the current tasks of dishwashers, which wash dishes for people every day.
Marek Klusek, director of the innovation department at Budimex, speaks in a similar tone. – A robot is an ideal solution when it comes to missing vacancies, but this device will not replace a human. I can say this with full responsibility – he said in an interview with Wprost.pl. – This robot is designed to cooperate with people and fill these staff shortages. Its premise, as the name suggests, is a robot cooperating with a human – added.
