"But I don't like the way people think machines are here to take our jobs and we should therefore fight them."
lol, me neither. People seem to think that machines are some sort of species that created themselves to come and replace humans. They seem to forget who designed, manufactured, and prorammed those machines. I find this particularly funny. :D I wonder if some people want to start a war against machines, just like in the sci-fi movies.
"I would prefer to get pre-recorded answers to FAQs than the system telling me "all our representatives are currently unavailable""
That's right! Plus, how many times did you land with a human person doing the job and reciting the answers as if he were a robot, and if you take him out from his recording he has to transfer you to someone else who might know what you are asking.
"...machine can,t match that. machine would do a good job but Humans will do a better job."
I don't think we can say that anymore. Robotic technology has advanced tremendously lately. As we speak, there are robots aiding surgeons in micro surgeries, and robots running factories controlled remotedly by humans. There is a huge robot in Mars at the moment. By the year 2029 is is said that robots will be able to pass the Turning test (a test of a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour).
this video explains how man will merge with machine by 2029. So no, humans will not do a better job. They will do an equally good job. Or less, because there is always the emotional factor intercepting the rationality in the human being.
"I am going for machines. At least you can rewrite the algorithms. Just try rewiring a human being!"
Yes! Right, right, right! Rewriting a human being is close to imposible. Only possible with a few with an open mind and undertsanding about change, evolution, and adaptation. Otherwise, imposible to rewrite, in my experience.
"It's an evolutionary process and we all have to figure out where we fit in as these changes eliminate jobs and create new professions."
The problem, I believe, comes when people don't accept evolution, and therefore don't adapt. We know what happens with those who can't adapt to the new environment, don't we? We are living in times of rapid changes in the relationship between man and machine. Without forgetting that man created the machine the focus should now be put in creating those new professions.
"However, we'll be doing more of this with machines and that's not always a bad thing."
Exactly. The wisdom comes in adapting to changes, and change as we adapt in order to continue the evoltionary process without getting stuck somewhere in between.
@Bolaji I can sympathize with being in a rush and having to wait around while people socialize when all you want to do is finish a quick transaction. On the other hand, consider that even in post offices where machines are available for the purchase of stamps, people tend to get on line for the clerk, much like they get on line for the teller at the bank rather than using the ATM (granted if you want something other than $20s, you usually need the teller,but people come into the bank even for simple deposits).
"Steve Jobs described this process when referring to outsourcing as 'creative destruction'"
More like spinning around in a circle, screaming with his arms flailing wildly, and hitting things at random, is what I call it. He happened to hit the right thing by accident, in my opinion. Meanwhile the dust is settling, people who feel they owe him and his company favors will move on, and we'll forget. And move on ourselves to better things. Like more adaptable human workers. And development of human resources, rather than Jobs's brand of waste.
Steve Jobs described this process when referring to outsourcing as 'creative destruction'. I guess the same principle can be applied to the robot-ization of the world. The onus is on us as humans to not get complacent and be surprised by job elimination. The time is upon us to prepare ourselves for the next logical/technological shift.
"Humans, in other words, don't always serve only what the customer is supposed to need at that moment."
True, it can veer into the bushes, but on the other hand you don't have to listen to ten minutes of "press 8 if you would like a list of our branch offices" when all you want is to buy a stamp.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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