The Ethical Side of Automation In Business
The business world of today faces a rapid change since automation has emerged as a key element of contemporary trade. Its growing popularity and wider adaptability alert many sectors – not just in the UK, but worldwide. In all advanced economies of the 21st century, automation in business enhances productivity, theoretically allowing workers to focus on more complex tasks.
Lowering costs, promoting innovation, facilitating simple assignments… It all sounds great, right? However, along with the growing potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic processes, an ethical issue arises: the loss of human employment. Modern-day firms enjoy a vast list of automation advantages, but a crucial question persists—is it possible to strike a balance between implementing computerisation for corporate advancement while safeguarding jobs?
The Rise of Automation In Business
Accepting calls, forwarding messages, replying to simple inquiries, managing customer data, creating customized sales offers, and much more… When it comes to automating these touchpoints, the business landscape in the UK is facing a major shift.
There is now a significant increase in automation in many sectors. Most of all, this trend involves client support and activities related to customer service. However, such tools are now also widespread in production, transportation, finance, and other niches.
Businesses are implementing a wide range of automation tools, including AI-driven chatbots, self-service checkout stations, and robotic process automation (RPA). These innovations are rapidly becoming a standard in both e-commerce and stationary businesses. Automated trading platforms, automated retail checkouts, automated inventory control systems… The list goes on and on and on.
Automation is on the rise, and it seems that the only solution is adapting to the ongoing change.
Is It Really Such a Good Thing?
Has there ever been an innovation that wouldn’t cause a stir in society?
Well, each time some new technological bomb is dropped on the market, it sparks worries about potential downsides. Even though the list of pros is presented by business automation, some claim there will be massive job reductions. ‘AI is taking over!’, claims the largest media.
Nowadays research indicates that a large number of jobs in the UK could possibly become vulnerable to automation in the upcoming years. Based on the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), jobs that involve repetitive and predictable activities are particularly at risk. These include the following:
- Waiters and waitresses – 72.81% of jobs at risk from automation
- Shelf fillers – 71.70%
- Elementary sales occupations n.e.c. – 70.69%
- Bar staff – 70.66%
- Kitchen and catering assistants – 69.20%
- Farm workers – 69.05%
- Cleaners and domestics – 68.13%
- Vehicle valaters and cleaners – 67.77%
- Packers, bottlers, canners, and fillers – 67.23%
On the opposite side of the scale – those who seem irreplaceable, e.g. medical practitioners (18.11% risk), higher education teaching professionals (20.27%), or psychologists (20.87%).
Overall, elementary occupations are at the largest risk of being replaced by automated systems and software, while managers, directors, senior officials, and professional occupations are safe. For now.
The situation addressed by the ONS underlines the growing concern among thousands of workers throughout the UK. Furthermore, it also brings forth ethical questions regarding the duty of companies towards employees whose jobs are vanishing due to the rise of automation.
Jobs Shift: A Growing Issue In the UK
Job loss being caused by nationwide automation is not a completely new issue for British workers. Throughout history, people faced countless innovations in technology, which always caused shifts in the labour market. Do you remember the Industrial Revolution from your history classes? This is but a notable example of a major change, in which extensive mechanization greatly diminished the need for physical labour.
Yet again, we might be facing another revolution – the Automation Revolution, leading the job market to swiftly adopt the current trends. As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are developing on an alarming scale, they both drive business growth and efficiency, worrying underqualified workers at the same time.
Humanity will prevail, as it always does in such instances. The key to success is, however, adapting to the change. Going with the flow. Accepting the revolution; not fighting it.
Can Automation Create New Jobs?
One of the main ethical issues that accompanies widespread business automation concerns the absence of a clear strategy for workers who lose their jobs. Yet, this major shift in the modern labour market might be a fantastic chance for many people to try something entirely new. As a matter of fact, automation can create new jobs – the only thing is, that companies need to improve their tactics to adapt to the revolution.
With the rise of new technologies and innovations in automating processes, workers can requalify to seek job opportunities in the following specialties:
- AI Advancements
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
Now, let us look at some numbers. Researchers studied the impact of automation on the UK’s job market only to find out that it caused the elimination of 800,000 jobs requiring low skill levels. Surprising? Not at all. The surprise comes after: 3.5 million new jobs emerged as a result of the change. Furthermore, these new positions offered an average salary increase of almost $13,000 per annum compared to the occupations that were disregarded.
Sure, at first there will not be a considerable number of individuals who might not possess the proper skills essential to move into these new professions. This might take some time. A lot of time, actually, since there is still a significant absence of adequate programs for re-education and skill improvement. Therefore, thousands of employees from different sectors might prolong unemployment, deteriorating both their economic stability and causing social turmoil.
Balancing Automation, Ethics, and Business Growth
The ethical consequences of automation reach further than just shifting the labour market. Regardless of their size, businesses in the UK must also reflect on the wider social effects of automation, as well as implement measures to diminish destructive consequences.
Maintaining a balance between automation, ethical approaches, and overall corporate growth is a must. It demands a harmonious method emphasizing technological progress, in the meantime ensuring the well-being of the employees.
Solution? Opting for retraining and educational programmes that would equip professionals with new skills needed on the market. By helping workers increase their competencies, businesses can lower the risk of unemployment, while guaranteeing that the current workforce remains a valuable contributor to the economy.
Adapting to this ongoing transformation is no longer voluntary—rather than that, it is a must.
Summing Up
Automation creates new chances and poses a threat at the same time. The main ethical concerns of business automation in the UK reach further than merely losing jobs.
It is a multidimensional predicament not just for firms, but also their employees. Even though companies can thrive on automation, as it contributes to economic development, decision-makers must quickly adopt new measures to safeguard their current workforce. Embracing a careful re-educational strategy might be the key to effectively manoeuvring through this whole new environment.
The future of work in the UK starts now. Are you ready?
The post Automation and Its Ethical Issues: The UK Automation Revolution first appeared on HR News.
