Computers/robots replacing jobs - Research Paper Example

In spite of the wide acceptance and numerous advantages of the technological advancement in the modern times, a darker side has also become apparent that makes humans insecure of their worth in the society. The integration of computers and robots in the society has caused an alarming reduction in the need for human services and jobs. 2. Integration of Computer and Robots in the Society Computers and robots have not only influenced the lifestyles and cultural values of humans, but have also caused adverse effects in their professional lives.

Technical machines and software have replaced number of tasks in different professions, for example, automated data entry, logical analysis, robotic technical support, robotic guides etc. Companies need to stay updated with the latest technological advancements to cope with the increasing demands of the consumer and competitors in the market. 2.1 Effect of Integration on Human Jobs It is due to the wide acceptance of the technological processes that companies are compelled to prefer computers and robots over human labor and intellect.

Neil Postman is a prominent researcher who has studied the effects of intrusion of computer technology and robots in the current times. He discussed the replacement of doctors with machines and software that are used to provide diagnosis of the patients. Postman stated that “the traditional methods of questioning patients, taking their reports seriously and making careful observations of exterior symptoms would become increasingly irrelevant” (99). This type of replacement makes human intellect dependent on the intelligence of the machines and reduces the need for doctors.

Blum explained that hospitals do not feel the need to hire great number of doctors and nurses, rather invest on the purchase of better technical equipments and computers to provide electronic charting, electronic medical records, automated diagnosis etc. The automation of such tasks reduces the need for nurses and doctors. The accuracy, reliability of computers and absence of human error provoke top managements to prefer computer technology and labor over the traditional norms. Retail industry has also witnessed adverse effects on the need for human labor.

Liard stated “reduced labor cost benefits are nearing the elimination of OOS (Out-of-Stocks)” (1). Products are incorporated with RFID tags that track the movement of the product, facilitate automated entry into the database, detect out of stock instances for every type of product in the store. The automation of such a great number of tasks reduces the need for human labor in numerous departments of retail stores. These automated tasks also improve the pace of operations, due to which they earn a positive image for the company.

Upon the acquisition of positive response from customers and greater accuracy in business operations, top management reaffirms its inclination towards computer and robotic technology; it results in greater lay-offs and lesser human positions. The field of farming has even witnessed an alarming reduction in the need for human labor. According to Perry, workers are usually linked with immigration problems and demands which are not present in the adoption of computers and robots. Farmers have realized that computers technology increases their productivity at lower administrative costs.

Semuels provided the statistic that Californian farm labor has reduced around 11%