The Second Machine Age of Automated Robots

Essay by saz_fairyUniversity, Bachelor'sC+, November 2014

download word file, 10 pages 0.0

Sarah McMahon 42773318

ISYS200 - Final Research Paper

Question 1

Technological breakthroughs are not an unprecedented occurrence throughout human history. Throughout the world, autonomous robot technology is advancing rapidly. Many are referring it this as the 'second machine age' whilst making correlations to the industrial revolution. When wide spread innovation such as this occurs, the fundamentals of the way we work, rest and play must be reconsidered. There is much debate over whether autonomous robots replacing workers will create new different jobs, or ever increasing inequality. This shift towards automation will be a major challenge for small business, companies and governments alike. With seamlessly increasing integration of autonomous robots into everyday life, there will be a less need for mobility and less human contact. Eventuating with the option for society to reconsider not only what is work and living but also what are memory, imagination and play.

If we had to compare this second machine age of autonomous robots, the best comparison would be to the industrial revolution. Industrialisation meant a shift to special purpose machinery, increased transport and economic revolution. Although this meant that some jobs were displaced, history shows that a significant amount of new jobs sectors were created. Automated robots are set to replace manual jobs as well as jobs requiring large calculation higher function. To compensate for this, society will have to reconsider jobs that exist today. As technology increases society will have created new tools and innovated new jobs that we have not yet considered. As automated robots never sleep, people will have the opportunity to work around the clock in shifts rather than the traditional 'working hours' mechanism. This could mean that jobs that are held by one person with large amounts of down time could be held my numerous people.