Why I am Excited About the Future of Automation

_{December 2019}

have a phrase that I quite like saying, "I'm always trying to automate myself out of my job so that I can do something even better." Automation, from a software script to the robot of the future, frees you from your present toil. It allows you to focus on what's next. And I believe you are likely to spend the extra time to better yourself and the world around you.

However, there are those who believe that automation may lead to negative consequences, such as technological determinism, which posits that technology inevitably drives society towards negative consequences. It forgets that society grows with technology, and as we adopt it we form new social norms and (importantly) new regulations. The co-evolution of humans with technology has taken place for thousands of years. While the uncertain future is inherently scary, I stay optimistic because I think our average wellbeing will continue to improve [1].

Here are 4 reasons I am excited about the future of automation.

1. Your next kitchen appliance will be a general purpose robot arm

The greatest new kitchen appliance of the 2020s will be a robot arm. It is the missing link between the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. We have plenty of food but little time to cook and clean. Intelligent automation is almost ready. Then, custom gourmet creations ready for you to eat at home every day.

2. Real-life Minecraft

By the 2030s, humanoid robots will be able to operate tools and perform at the level of a general contractor. They will work on home repairs and make your dream creations a reality. Robots will work longer hours, move with higher precision, and cost less. Robots will grant us an abundance of skilled labour.

3. Cancel dangerous work for humans

Even before COVID accelerated the need for these essential workers, labour shortages were constraining economic growth especially in jobs that are dirty, dull, or dangerous. Robotic automation is not only a huge economic opportunity, I believe it is the greatest opportunity in human history. Intelligent robotics can free up humanity to do more interesting, creative, and compassionate things.

4. Guaranteed Basic Income

If jobs are automated what will people do? And how will they afford to live? A great solution is a basic income. The income level can be set low enough to preserve work incentives and at the same time be enough to provide people dignity, health, and stability in their lives. For example consider, Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux. He required twice the typical amount of time to earn his undergraduate degree, and during the six years in which he was receiving funding from the Finnish government, he developed Linux. A basic income is like seed funding for everyone. It will unleash entrepreneurship. It will produce a wave of creativity.

As stated by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,

"We should be excited about automation, because what it could potentially mean is more time educating ourselves, more time creating art, more time investing in and investigating the sciences, more time focused on invention, more time going to space, more time enjoying the world that we live in."

Ultimately, automation has the potential to transform our lives in many positive ways. ■

[1] Diamandis, Peter H., and Steven Kotler. Abundance: The future is better than you think. Simon and Schuster, 2012.