Jobs at risk due to automation - what to do?

benjs · April 2018

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

That’ll change too. A few UI/UX designers, change some button locations and that machine will become way easier. Integrate a loyalty program so people can tap their phone then just say “order the same as last time” and store it as a favourite, same mission accomplished. When it is substantially faster to order through the machine, will you still veto it on principle?

cincybearcat · April 2018

even flow - question mark said:

When you hear of people, young males joining this and joining that due to the fact that there is no work and how that works in the current state of the world. The powers that be will have it handed to them as the world keeps pumping out humans and give them nothing to do and voila you have a really, really, big problem. If there isn't a world war soon, or some disease (man made or not) to wipe out at least half the worlds population, they will surely bring it on by automating all the jobs.

As for the universal pay for all the rest of the humans???? No dream of owning a house? No more seeing your favourite band live? No more meeting at a pub to discuss how crappy your job is? Some people dig welfare but how is there life when you look at it?
In a nut shell. I still send cheques to keep people employed. I still purchase a coffee at the caf even though we get free coffee at work, to keep people employed. I'd go to a full service gas station if they were still around, to keep people employed. Etc, etc. Yeah, I may be on the outside to some on seeing how this will turn out. But I do my best to make sure everything I interact with involves making sure there is a human on the other end who is employed.

Weird, the more humans I interact with the more I wish for AI.

cincybearcat · April 2018

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

You are assuming a quality human. Big assumption

Halifax2TheMax · April 2018

You have no idea how many times, the few times that I do, when I order take out, face to face with a human, repeat my order 3 or 4 times, only to get out to the car or home to find out it’s wrong. Kids today, and the majority are behind the counter, don’t know how to listen or retain information. It’s all about the screen and there’s an app for that.

PJPOWER · April 2018

cincybearcat said:

PJPOWER said:

I can totally see why some fast food employers would automate certain jobs if it was logistically cost saving and more efficient. Kiosks do not require health insurance, do not complain of low wages, and could help avoid a lawsuit or two. This is nothing new, though. Many different aspects of agriculture, for instance, now use automated machines to help with harvest, milk cattle, etc. It is a changing world and people will either adapt or get left behind...as always.

And while they do occasionally break down, I'm certain they are more reliable showing up to work than the average McD worker.

And I bet that the people that service and install the kiosks are happily employed.
There are plenty of apocalyptic views of AI taking over and enslaving the human race. Truthfully, I see it kickstarting human evolution in the aspect of medical advances and human integration with the AI within most of our lifetimes (if it hasn’t already begun). Will the robots take over and kill us all in a Terminator type scenario...maybe. But until then, I think we will mostly reap great benifits with nanotechnology/quantum computing/AI.
Honestly, my more major concern is being sent back to the stone age by some EMP/nuclear disaster caused by human error (it’s almost happened on several occasions, there are some great documentaries out there detailing numerous accidents or “events” that could have been catastrophic).
I’m not sure what to say from the job front other than to encourage and help those you care about to gain the appropriate skills necessary to stay relevant in the job world and to strive to be quality human beings in general. I think there will always be those that refuse to participate with companies that promote automation (refer to Meltdown99’s thoughts on the subject).
I do find it interesting that, currently, there are plenty stories of companies desperately seeking quality employees (skilled and unskilled), but also complaining that they are very hard to find. It almost sounds as if many of the unemployed are more interested in doing things that make them unemployable than striving to take control and give themselves a better life. The saturation of selfish/entitlement-minded and self-destructiveness is undeniable in today’s society.

Meltdown99 · April 2018

benjs said:

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

That’ll change too. A few UI/UX designers, change some button locations and that machine will become way easier. Integrate a loyalty program so people can tap their phone then just say “order the same as last time” and store it as a favourite, same mission accomplished. When it is substantially faster to order through the machine, will you still veto it on principle?

I think you missing my real point, I refuse to use their automative ordering system.

Halifax2TheMax · April 2018

PJPOWER said:

cincybearcat said:

PJPOWER said:

I can totally see why some fast food employers would automate certain jobs if it was logistically cost saving and more efficient. Kiosks do not require health insurance, do not complain of low wages, and could help avoid a lawsuit or two. This is nothing new, though. Many different aspects of agriculture, for instance, now use automated machines to help with harvest, milk cattle, etc. It is a changing world and people will either adapt or get left behind...as always.

And while they do occasionally break down, I'm certain they are more reliable showing up to work than the average McD worker.

And I bet that the people that service and install the kiosks are happily employed.
There are plenty of apocalyptic views of AI taking over and enslaving the human race. Truthfully, I see it kickstarting human evolution in the aspect of medical advances and human integration with the AI within most of our lifetimes (if it hasn’t already begun). Will the robots take over and kill us all in a Terminator type scenario...maybe. But until then, I think we will mostly reap great benifits with nanotechnology/quantum computing/AI.
Honestly, my more major concern is being sent back to the stone age by some EMP/nuclear disaster caused by human error (it’s almost happened on several occasions, there are some great documentaries out there detailing numerous accidents or “events” that could have been catastrophic).
I’m not sure what to say from the job front other than to encourage and help those you care about to gain the appropriate skills necessary to stay relevant in the job world and to strive to be quality human beings in general. I think there will always be those that refuse to participate with companies that promote automation (refer to Meltdown99’s thoughts on the subject).
I do find it interesting that, currently, there are plenty stories of companies desperately seeking quality employees (skilled and unskilled), but also complaining that they are very hard to find. It almost sounds as if many of the unemployed are more interested in doing things that make them unemployable than striving to take control and give themselves a better life. The saturation of selfish/entitlement-minded and self-destructiveness is undeniable in today’s society.

You need to include the lack of investment in education and the almost 20% of kids who don’t graduate high school. And it’s not that people don’t want to work or are happy living on public assistance but rather they refuse to relocate for the jobs that are available or are not qualified to fill the jobs available due to lack of education, skills or criminal history.

PJPOWER · April 2018

Halifax2TheMax said:

PJPOWER said:

cincybearcat said:

PJPOWER said:

I can totally see why some fast food employers would automate certain jobs if it was logistically cost saving and more efficient. Kiosks do not require health insurance, do not complain of low wages, and could help avoid a lawsuit or two. This is nothing new, though. Many different aspects of agriculture, for instance, now use automated machines to help with harvest, milk cattle, etc. It is a changing world and people will either adapt or get left behind...as always.

And while they do occasionally break down, I'm certain they are more reliable showing up to work than the average McD worker.

And I bet that the people that service and install the kiosks are happily employed.
There are plenty of apocalyptic views of AI taking over and enslaving the human race. Truthfully, I see it kickstarting human evolution in the aspect of medical advances and human integration with the AI within most of our lifetimes (if it hasn’t already begun). Will the robots take over and kill us all in a Terminator type scenario...maybe. But until then, I think we will mostly reap great benifits with nanotechnology/quantum computing/AI.
Honestly, my more major concern is being sent back to the stone age by some EMP/nuclear disaster caused by human error (it’s almost happened on several occasions, there are some great documentaries out there detailing numerous accidents or “events” that could have been catastrophic).
I’m not sure what to say from the job front other than to encourage and help those you care about to gain the appropriate skills necessary to stay relevant in the job world and to strive to be quality human beings in general. I think there will always be those that refuse to participate with companies that promote automation (refer to Meltdown99’s thoughts on the subject).
I do find it interesting that, currently, there are plenty stories of companies desperately seeking quality employees (skilled and unskilled), but also complaining that they are very hard to find. It almost sounds as if many of the unemployed are more interested in doing things that make them unemployable than striving to take control and give themselves a better life. The saturation of selfish/entitlement-minded and self-destructiveness is undeniable in today’s society.

You need to include the lack of investment in education and the almost 20% of kids who don’t graduate high school. And it’s not that people don’t want to work or are happy living on public assistance but rather they refuse to relocate for the jobs that are available or are not qualified to fill the jobs available due to lack of education, skills or criminal history.

I never said that all are happy living on public assistance, but some are and there are plenty unwilling to change their lifestyle to make them a better candidate for employment. But I agree with all of the other factors you mentioned as well. As far as education goes, it almost seems as if public education is just drowning in the sheer numbers. Maybe AI integration with the human brain will take the place of schools someday, haha (and yikes).

benjs · April 2018

Meltdown99 said:

benjs said:

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

That’ll change too. A few UI/UX designers, change some button locations and that machine will become way easier. Integrate a loyalty program so people can tap their phone then just say “order the same as last time” and store it as a favourite, same mission accomplished. When it is substantially faster to order through the machine, will you still veto it on principle?

I think you missing my real point, I refuse to use their automative ordering system.

I'm not sure I did. I asked a simple question - you're saying that you refuse to use the automatic ordering system, also stating that it's not faster. When it becomes a better experience to use the automatic ordering system than it is to speak to a human to place an order, will you still refuse to use the automatic ordering system?

cp3iverson · April 2018

One more important note.....using the computer made me realize that i can get my child the Snoopy toy for 99 cents without ordering a happy meal.

McDonalds automated service is beautiful.

mace1229 · April 2018

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

Thats probably because it is new. What do you think the the employee is doing? Just pushing the same buttons as the customer, their cash registers are just pictures. Once this becomes standard and everyone has done it a few times it will be even faster. Instead of telling someone what buttons to push for you, you just do it yourself.
I was at a McDs a few weeks ago and they had signs all over the front counter that they do not take orders anymore, must be done from the kiosk. A few people came up and placed orders anyway, I'm not sure if they didn't see the 10 different signs or just ignored them. But I feel within a couple years this will be normal, and once it is normal it will be faster.

Think of those states who aren't allowed to pump their own gas. If someone who has never done it before pulls up to a self-service pump, its going to take a while to figure it out. Someone who has always pumped their own gas gets annoyed waiting on someone else to do it for them, its faster to just get out and do it myself.

mace1229 · April 2018

cp3iverson said:

One more important note.....using the computer made me realize that i can get my child the Snoopy toy for 99 cents without ordering a happy meal.

McDonalds automated service is beautiful.

Yeah, I saw a lot bigger menu that I didn't even know to order from. I rarely go to fast food, but saw a bunch of specials that they don't have the space to advertise. I just clicked on the deals menu tab and saw all the specials, had like 20 of them listed on the computer, but only 2 or 3 advertised throughout the store. That part was cool.

hedonist · April 2018

These things that make life "easier" - been around for years. It'll continue because we demand it, whether for convenience or monetary gain, or what have you.

Washing machines, toasters, those automated sandwich things from the 50's (or before?), hairdryers, vacuums, ATM's, and on. And sex dolls - why have a real person when you can program a bot to do whatever you want?

I'd consider myself myopic in thinking that today's technology, plus our needs and wants, wouldn't play a large part in this era of ours.

brianlux · April 2018

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

Same thing for me at the check out stand at the grocery store. I like having real people to talk to instead of some dumb machine saying, "Welcome to Raleys, have you inserted you club card yet?"

PJ_Soul · April 2018

benjs said:

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

That’ll change too. A few UI/UX designers, change some button locations and that machine will become way easier. Integrate a loyalty program so people can tap their phone then just say “order the same as last time” and store it as a favourite, same mission accomplished. When it is substantially faster to order through the machine, will you still veto it on principle?

I'm not sure it even matters. Soon enough you won't have an option between the auto system and a person. Your choice will change from using the auto system or not ordering at all.

mace1229 · April 2018

brianlux said:

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

Same thing for me at the check out stand at the grocery store. I like having real people to talk to instead of some dumb machine saying, "Welcome to Raleys, have you inserted you club card yet?"

Same with me, all other things being equal.
My local store there are 2 stations operated by a person and about 10 automated one. The problem is there may be 3 or 4 people in line for each of the 2 checkout stands manned by an actual person while at least some of the 10 auto checkout stations are wide open. Even during prime shopping time there may be 10 people in line for the person, but have to wait behind maybe 1 or 2 people in automated line. It's a dying breed.

bootlegger10 · April 2018

Uber would never have taken off like it did if people loved calling a Cab Company and talking to an attendant to request a cab.

Halifax2TheMax · April 2018

bootlegger10 said:

Uber would never have taken off like it did if people loved calling a Cab Company and talking to an attendant to request a cab.

It has way more to do with the price. Uber is at least a third of the cost and you know how much your fare is before your trip. The Taxi model is so outmoded, stuck in traffic watching the meter run. If cab companies were smart, they’d adapt by having their drivers join Uber or Lyft. Or create apps and do the same.

jeffbr · April 2018

PJ_Soul said:

benjs said:

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

That’ll change too. A few UI/UX designers, change some button locations and that machine will become way easier. Integrate a loyalty program so people can tap their phone then just say “order the same as last time” and store it as a favourite, same mission accomplished. When it is substantially faster to order through the machine, will you still veto it on principle?

I'm not sure it even matters. Soon enough you won't have an option between the auto system and a person. Your choice will change from using the auto system or not ordering at all.

Was just going to say this, and completely agree. There won't be an option to order from a human at fast food restaurants in the fairly near future. Within 5 years I think we'll have forgotten all about the kids behind the cash register. As Mace said, those kids are only pushing the buttons on their screens that you tell them to, so why not remove the middle-man (who is also mistake prone), and push those buttons yourself? Increased accuracy and efficiency. Sounds good to me. I also self-check at the grocery store when presented with that option. People can choose to shun or avoid automation, but in doing so they'll find that they're ultimately limiting their options and perhaps not adequately preparing themselves for the inevitable time that is coming when they won't have that choice. Adapt or perish.

cincybearcat · April 2018

brianlux said:

Meltdown99 said:

I refuse to use the automatic ordering system at McDonalds. It's also not faster, I've seen people start their order before me and I've got my food before them. It's far easier to tell a person what I want than a machine.

Same thing for me at the check out stand at the grocery store. I like having real people to talk to instead of some dumb machine saying, "Welcome to Raleys, have you inserted you club card yet?"

I find I’m way more capable then most of the people doing that job, so I prefer self checkout

Jobs at risk due to automation - what to do?

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