How likely is it your job will be automated?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the likelihood of job automation based on a study by Oxford University, which evaluates various jobs according to their susceptibility to automation through nine key skills. Participants share their own job automation scores and express their thoughts on the implications of automation in various fields, including programming, engineering, and physical sciences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants report their automation risk scores, with biologists and engineers noting low susceptibility (8%), while a paramedic mentions a score of 5%.
  • There is a question raised about why physical scientists have a higher automation risk (20%) compared to chemists (6%), prompting a discussion about the factors influencing these scores.
  • A participant expresses concern about their job as a machinery operator being highly likely to be automated in the future.
  • Some participants suggest that the status of AI at any given moment could influence job automation risks.
  • Multiple participants identify as programmers, asserting that their roles have low automation risk and suggesting they may be involved in automating other tasks.
  • One participant humorously comments on the idea of being a robot, while another reflects on the implications of the singularity on job automation.
  • There is mention of a long discussion on a related book about the relationship between robots and humans, indicating a broader interest in the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share their individual automation scores and express varying levels of concern or confidence regarding their job security in the face of automation. However, there is no consensus on the implications of these scores or the future of automation across different fields.

Contextual Notes

The discussion references a study that categorizes jobs based on nine skills, but some participants note the lack of raw data for specific jobs, which may limit the understanding of individual scores.

Ryan_m_b
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Oxford University academics Michael Osborne and Carl Frey calculated how susceptible to automation each job is based on nine key skills required to perform it; social perceptiveness, negotiation, persuasion, assisting and caring for others, originality, fine arts, finger dexterity, manual dexterity and the need to work in a cramped work space.

The list is up on the BBC here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-34066941 Input your job (or just browse the others) to find out the automation risk according to the study.

It might not be gospel but I find modern automation very interesting, it's remarkable how many jobs can be displaced by a small number of technologies. Looks like I'm relatively safe: 8% for biologists.
 
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I was also 8%. I don't think engineers like me will be replaced any time soon, someone has to write and maintain the automation of everyone else's job.
 
Paramedic was 5% :smile:
 
Yup, noticed this. An important trend for the future.
 
What make a physical scientist (physicist and should include chemist) more susceptible (20%) to automation compared to a chemist (6%)
 
jedishrfu said:
I'm safe, I think...
Cheating! You're already a robot.
 
I think the answer would depend on the status of A.I at any given moment.
 
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WWGD said:
Cheating! You're already a robot.
But I have a heart and...

We're off to see the Wizard the Wonderful Wizard of Oz... We hear he is a wiz of wiz if ever a wiz there was...
 
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I work as a programmer, so very low risk. More likely that I'll be the one working on automating such tasks :biggrin:
 
  • #13
Think i need a change of career. 75% however when i looked at the average wage of my job it was a little under on there so that me a lil happier (glazing fabricator)
 
  • #14
Tosh5457 said:
I work as a programmer, so very low risk. More likely that I'll be the one working on automating such tasks :biggrin:

Until the singularity occurs. :biggrin:
 
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  • #15
My job isn't in the list but it is VERY likely it'll be taken over by robotic automation in the future. Machinery operator in a freezer storage for a large grocery, this can easily be reduced to automation. Luckily this is my part-time job throughout uni. :D
 
  • #16
gleem said:
What make a physical scientist (physicist and should include chemist) more susceptible (20%) to automation compared to a chemist (6%)

The original study is here: http://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf

It's very long, section IV explains the methodology. The quick answer is they take nine categories, rank how important these categories are to an individual job and then use an equation to create a score. The categories are:

- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
- Cramped work space/awkward positions
- Originality
- Fine arts
- Social perceptiveness
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Assisting and caring for others

The more of those your job requires the harder it is to automate.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any raw data showing the stats for each job, just the final score.