Are Robots Set To Take Our Jobs?

30 to 80% of all existing jobs will disappear in about 20 years as companies invest in automation, says a study.

19:39 07 October 2015

Robots are indeed set to take up to 80per cent of existing jobs, says a study conducted by leading futurist Rohit Talwar.

 

During his presentation at the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference in St Andrews, he warned that school children may have to work 40 jobs before they reach 100 as robots put an end to traditional occupations. He also called on school leaders to make the necessary steps to prepare children for this rapidly changing working world.

 

He said: "On the one hand we'll be living longer. On the other hand we're not sure how people are going to earn the money to buy the goods and services that will largely be produced by smart software and robots.

 

"The challenge we have is that nowhere around the world is anyone really trying to do some joined-up thinking about what would that look like in the future.

 

"Will it be right to assume that everyone will still have a job? Or will it be natural for 50 per cent of the population to not be working?

 

"We need to start thinking about those things, we need to start thinking about the kinds of skills we'll need to help people stay employable.

 

"If they do have a job all the way through their career, that means they'll be working potentially up to the age of 100."