Discussion

Here we help you discuss the topic of robots changing the workplace by helping you focus on the pros and cons of this trend and reflect on its future evolution.

Pros and Cons

The four texts in your exam material present both positive and negative aspects regarding robots changing the workplace.

If you are inclined to see the evolution of robotics and artificial intelligence as a good thing, you will find supporting arguments for your views mostly in “Robot doctors and lawyers? It’s a change we should embrace” and “Meet the robots making Amazon even faster”.

“Robot revolution: rise of 'thinking' machines could exacerbate inequality” presents more negative aspects related to robots changing the workplace. Note that, even though it is more focused on the negative consequences of this trend, the article also includes some positive opinions.

We have summarised for you the most relevant pros and cons of robots changing the workplace that are mentioned in the texts in your exam set.

Important advantages of robots changing the workplace are:

Using robots will help companies reduce the costs of labour (Text I)
Robots are less prone to error compared to humans, and as such they can improve workplace quality and productivity (Text I, II)
Robots can perform certain activities faster than human beings, increasing efficacy and productivity (Text III)
The use of robots might lead to the creation of new jobs and industries. (Text I)

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The future of robots changing the workplace

Three out of the four texts in your source material focus more on the future impact of robots being used in the workplace (I, II, and IV).

Text I, for instance, presents a scenario in which 20 years from now robots will replace “up to 35% of all workers in the UK, and 47% of those in the US”. According to this scenario, this might lead to various negative socio-economic consequences such as economic imbalances and a less equitable society: “However, the bank also points out that major ethical and social issues will increasingly arise…”; “Almost half of them, 48%, believed the rise of robots and artificial intelligence would have ‘a massive detrimental impact on society, where digital agents displace both blue- and white-collar workers, leading to income inequality and breakdowns in social order.’ ”

Consider whether you agree with this scenario. How do you think people will react if they are replaced by robots, and no other jobs are available for them?

The text also points out some solutions to these concerns. People could educate themselves more so that they would have access to high-skill jobs,...

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