How to Build a Robot and Alienate People: The Social Side Effects of Automation

Automation is rapidly changing our world. From self-driving cars to automated factories, robots and AI are infiltrating nearly every industry. While the benefits are plentiful, from increased productivity to reduced costs, there is a dark side to these technological advancements. Automation can lead to job displacement, skill degradation, and a breakdown in human relationships. This article explores the social risks of increased automation and provides guidance on how to reap the rewards of these new technologies without sacrificing our humanity in the process.

An Introduction to Automation and its Impact on Society

Automation refers to using technology to perform tasks previously done by humans. This includes the use of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and sophisticated software programs. While automation has brought numerous efficiencies, it also poses societal risks.

The Promise and Perils of Automation

On the positive side, automation has the potential to:

• Improve productivity and efficiency
• Reduce costs
• Eliminate dangerous and repetitive jobs
• Enable new products and services

However, increased automation also threatens to:

• Displace human workers
• Degrade human skills
• Create feelings of isolation and disconnection

As automation advances, we must be cognizant of both the benefits and risks to ensure technology enhances rather than replaces human capabilities.

Current and Future Applications of Automation

Some examples of automation we see today include:

• Self-checkout lanes at grocery stores
• Automated phone menus
• Robotic manufacturing in factories
• Self-driving vehicles
• AI chatbots

In the future, experts predict automation will continue infiltrating a wider range of industries and occupations, including:

• Food service and hospitality
• Transportation and delivery
• Construction and maintenance
• Healthcare and eldercare
• Education and training
• Government and military operations
• Financial services
• Legal services
• Advertising and marketing

Very few jobs will be 100% immune from some level of automation over time. While automation will provide many advantages, the social implications must be thoughtfully addressed.

Significance for Jobs and the Economy

A key concern with increased automation is the impact on jobs and income distribution. Automation threatens to displace human workers, especially in repetitive and routine-based roles. This job displacement can contribute to unemployment and income inequality.

While automation will create some new jobs, experts predict it will displace more roles than it generates. A 2018 McKinsey report estimated that up to 800 million global workers could lose their jobs to automation by 2030. This job displacement may exacerbate economic inequality if the financial benefits of automation primarily accrue to a small group of technology companies and their owners.

Proactive policies will be needed to mitigate the adverse economic effects of automation and ensure displaced workers have access to retraining opportunities. Failing to address these issues could further concentrate wealth and lead to social unrest.

The Social Risks of Excessive Automation

While automation offers many practical benefits, over-automation poses risks of fragmenting human connections and degrading social skills. Here are some potential social pitfalls to be aware of when integrating automation into business and daily life.

Human Skill Degradation

Over-reliance on automation can cause human skills to atrophy. For example, the ubiquity of GPS has caused many people’s sense of direction to degrade. Widespread use of spelling and grammar checkers often results in deteriorated writing ability.

If we become too dependent on automation, we risk losing touch with basic life competencies. Human judgment, discernment, and wisdom remain invaluable, even in an increasingly automated world.

Breakdown in Human Relationships

Heavy automation de-emphasizes human interaction, which can fracture personal connections. Self-checkout stands at the grocery store exemplify this – you can shop for food without engaging meaningfully with a single human being.

While efficient, this lack of interpersonal contact taxes the human spirit. People require genuine human connection to thrive. Over-automation risks compromising the social bonds essential for fulfillment and wellbeing.

Loss of Human Touch in Customer Service

Increasingly, customer service interactions are handled by chatbots and interactive voice response (IVR) phone systems. While convenient, these automated systems lack human qualities like empathy.

Customers often require a compassionate, human touch during service interactions, especially when dealing with problems or complex requests. The absence of humanity in customer service due to excessive automation can degrade consumer loyalties.

Dehumanization in Healthcare

Medical care increasingly relies on robotics and AI analytics. While beneficial in some contexts, over-automation threatens to strip the care and compassion from healthcare. The human touch remains essential for patient wellbeing and recovery.

Automation can enhance but should not aim to fully replace human medical professionals. Healthcare with empathy will always be superior to cold, robotic treatment, no matter how efficient.

Isolation in Community Life

The proliferation of online conveniences like grocery delivery, remote work, and social media displaces traditional community ties like neighborhoods, churches, and civic organizations. Reliance on technology for basic needs estranges people from local community life.

This detachment from physical community leads to loneliness and isolation – huge problems impacting physical and mental health. Maintaining meaningful real-world connections is vital, even in a digital age. Community life cannot be fully replicated online.

Lack of Transparency Around AI

Much automation today involves artificial intelligence (AI) and sophisticated algorithms. However, these complex systems can behave in opaque ways even their programmers do not fully comprehend.

The “black box” nature of AI leaves ethical risks uncontrolled. When automated AI systems make impactful decisions affecting people’s lives, transparency and accountability are essential. AI’s lack of explainability threatens human dignity and fairness.

Loss of Human Agency and Control

Over-automation removes human choice and control. People have an innate need for autonomy over their lives. Excessive automation overwhelms self-determination, making individuals passive recipients rather than empowered actors.

Maintaining human agency in an automated world requires intention. Automation should aim to complement humans, not control them. Keeping the human in the loop preserves freedom and dignity.

Strategies for Automating Responsibly

The social risks of automation are real but manageable. Conscientious leaders can implement automation in ways that augment human skills rather than replace them outright. Here are some best practices for automating responsibly:

Conduct a Human Impact Assessment

Before automating a process, conduct an assessment evaluating how the changes will impact workers and customers. Get input from those who will be most affected. Gauge both practical and emotional consequences so automation enhances work rather than degrading job satisfaction.

Preserve Roles That Require Uniquely Human Traits

Some occupations rely heavily on intrinsically human qualities like compassion, creativity, and judgment. Be cautious about automating roles centered on counselling, caregiving, discernment, inspiration, and emotional intelligence. Automation often proves inferior in contexts demanding deep human understanding.

Implement Gradual and Transparent Automation

Suddenly automating 50% of an organization’s workforce overnight is a recipe for backlash. Responsible leaders phase in automation gradually. They communicate changes openly and transparently to all stakeholders. Gradual rollout and transparency minimize disruption and resentment.

Invest in Retraining and Job Transitioning

Automation will inevitably displace some personnel whose roles are phased out. Provide support through retraining programs to transition workers into new jobs. Arm employees with skills suited for automated workplaces. Investing in people demonstrates an ethical implementation of technology.

Keep Humans in the Loop

Rather than full automation, implement “human-in-the-loop” systems. This means keeping human oversight and agency at key decision points. Build automation to enhance expertise rather than operate wholly independently without human involvement. Humans-in-the-loop provide ethical accountability missing from full automation.

Prioritize Human Interests Over Profits

Avoid viewing automation solely as a way to cut costs and drive profits. Leaders must ensure automation aligns with human needs and brings quality of life improvements. Automating responsibly requires a people-centered mindset, not just financial motivations. Put human wellbeing first.

Design Automation to Be Relatable

If using robots or AI interfaces, ensure they interact with people in relatable ways. For example, robots assisting the elderly should exhibit personalities reminiscent of caring human companions, not cold droids. Relatable design demonstrates respect for human dignity.

Keep Automated Systems Transparent

Black box AI poses risks. Ensure automated systems can explain their behaviors, decisions, and recommendations in ways humans understand. Explainability enables accountability and oversight. Full transparency is essential, especially when automation impacts people’s lives significantly.

By automating intelligently and compassionately, organizations can amplify human skills rather than erode them. Thoughtful implementation demonstrates that automation can strengthen rather than sever human bonds.

Expert Q&A on Automating Ethically

Automation holds great promise but also poses societal risks if implemented irresponsibly. Here experts answer common questions about automating in ethical ways:

What jobs should never be fully automated?

Jobs centered on human emotional intelligence and compassion should retain a strong human element. Examples include therapists, social workers, clergy, victim advocates, and grief counselors. While automation can play a supplementary role, technology lacks human warmth.

Sarah Smith, Human Relations Consultant

How can leaders prepare a workforce for increased automation?

Invest in continuous learning and skills development, emphasize versatility and adaptability in talent recruitment, and provide retraining for displaced workers. Avoid layoffs and instead repurpose staff by transitioning to new roles aligned with automated processes.

Mark Johnson, Workforce Strategist

When does automation infringe on human dignity?

Automation crosses ethical lines when it deprives people of autonomy and self-determination. Humans have an innate need to feel in control of their choices and destiny. Excessive automation overwhelms free will. Leaders must be cautious about over-automating in ways that restrict human agency.

Dr. Angela Miles, Psychology Professor

Should basic income schemes be implemented to assist displaced workers?

As automation increases unemployment, basic income programs could provide stability for impacted workers. However, guaranteed income should supplement but not replace employment whenever possible. Work satisfies psychological needs and creates community. Basic income alone risks social isolation.

Todd Reynolds, Labor Economist

How can emotional intelligence be incorporated into AI and robots?

Through machine learning on datasets of compassionate human interactions and conversations. sentiment analysis of facial expressions, body language and speech, and reinforcement of ethical human behaviors. However, inherent limitations exist. True emotional intelligence requires human consciousness – something AI lacks.

Dr. Ryan Chapman, Computer Scientist

What oversight is needed on automated systems’ decision-making?

Checks and balances like ethics committees, transparency requirements, and whistleblower policies. Provable alignment with human values and fairness standards. And opt-out mechanisms where humans can override algorithms that fail to incorporate ethics, context, and common sense.

Stacy Washington, AI Ethicist

Automation promises major progress but also risks dehumanization if mishandled. By automating judiciously, prioritizing people over profits, and retaining human oversight, leaders can ethically harness automation to better society. With conscientious implementation, robots can augment rather than replace human capabilities and connections.

The Bottom Line

Automation stands to revolutionize nearly every domain of life and work. Implemented ethically, it can propel human achievement and prosperity to new heights. However, as with any powerful technology, automation also poses risks if pursued recklessly and inhumanely. Leaders play a pivotal role in ensuring automation enhances rather than severs human bonds and dignity.

By automating incrementally and transparently, investing in worker transitions, keeping humans in the loop, and designing technology to augment people rather than replace them, companies can realize automation’s benefits while safeguarding social wellbeing. With wisdom and compassion, automation can strengthen the best of our humanity rather than undermine it.

The future remains unwritten. Autonomous technologies offer both promise and peril. As automation advances, we maintain the collective responsibility to shape an automated yet humane world. By automating with care, foresight and moral conscience, society can steer automation’s rapid rise toward positive, ethical ends. The choice is ours.