Impact of Using Robots on Society

Impact of Using Robots on Society

Abstract – Robots are automated devices that help people to execute their daily activities with ease. Today, automated machines are prevalent in all sectors. Their continued use increases the reduced cost of production and increased efficiency. People enjoy these benefits due to the enhanced quality of products and health services. However, some of the evident expenses include loss of jobs and erosion of social morals among citizens and corporate managers.  

Index Terms – throughput, efficiency, state-of-the-art,

1. INTRODUCTION

Robotics has been a part of the daily routine in human lives for several decades. People develop robots to improve the overall level of efficiency in industrial production, the performance of social duties and interactions, and the enhancement of leisure activities. These functions make automated and intelligent devices useful in revolutionizing social lives. Although the continued use of robots leads to positive solutions like reduced cost of production and increased efficiency, they lead to problems like loss of jobs and erosion of social morals.

1. BENEFITS TO SOCIETY

The continued use of robots reduces the cost of producing goods and services. The introduction of machines powered by robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) influenced various industries [1]. Most firms reduced the number of their employees and reduced the cost of producing goods and services. Most managers focused on mechanizing their operating systems to promote revenue generation. A study on 468 full-time five-star hotel employees in China revealed that the acquisition of robots in the hospitality industry had a strong correlation with human resources turnover intentions [1].

This statement suggests that most organizations focused on adopting effective ways to reduce the number of their employees. In this case, the cost of operation and final products would decrease significantly. Mechanization in various industries improves the cost of living in a country [1]. As people access cheaper products, they can use their surplus income to invest. Besides, the approach can allow ordinary citizens to lead better lives. Therefore, the adoption of robots in the production industry benefits society through the production of cheaper goods and services.

The adoption of robotics as solutions in modern industries benefits society through enhanced efficiency. Industry 4.0 is a new era where firms deal with robotics, automation, and AI, among other automated systems [2]. The increasing rate of adoption of state-of-the-art facilities and technologies lead to enhanced throughput. Firms can improve their standard of production and quality of products. For instance, a company can use robotics to increase the precision levels in the manufacture processes [2]. This benefit is useful in food and medicine production lines. Such superior products lead to improved health outcomes. Therefore, the adoption of automated facilities benefits society through efficient production methods that improve health outcomes.

The adoption of robots in the healthcare sector benefits society through better outcomes. A recent study on less invasive cardiac surgical techniques revealed a 100% success rate [3]. The findings imply that doctors can use automated gadgets to enhance the precision levels of their treatment approaches. Besides, robots can increase the speed of completing complex surgery procedures. Doctors who used robots in their operations took 201 minutes compared to 292 minutes used by those who relied on conventional methods [3]. The data presented shows that robots can reduce general surgery for more than one and a half hours. One surgeon can attend to many patients, which translates to better health outcomes. Therefore, the adoption of robots in the health sector can benefit the general public through accurate and timely treatment methods.

• COSTS TO SOCIETY

Using robots in today’s society results in massive job loss and increasing poverty rates. Data obtained from the International Federation of Robotics revealed that automated machines in the American and European markets were approximately 97,300 units [4]. The price of robot adoption in developed countries causes a social alarm since firms tend to layoff many employees. The situation lowers the level of income. The demand for AI and automated machines continues to increases more than their supply in the aggregate industry- and firm-level [4]. This case implies that more established and upcoming firms will need fewer numbers of employees. The trend may escalate the level of global joblessness. Mechanization in different economic sectors focuses on employee turnover intentions [1]. This statement suggests a significant challenge where current industries and firms may fail to absorb a large number of young professionals graduating from various universities. Therefore, the continued use of robots today increases the rate of unemployment and lowers the standards of living.

Sustained adoption of robots leads to an erosion of social morals. Reducing the number of employees in firms can result in higher rates of crime [1]. Most young and jobless youths may consider theft and fraud as a more natural way to earn a living. Advancement in technology increases the rate of cybercrime. A 38% annual increase in the operational stock of industrial robots in developed countries like China raises security concerns [4]. This trend in the adoption of AI and the mechanical device will have a positive correlation with unique forms of internet-based criminal activities. Most firms may face the risk of losing confidential information to criminals. Therefore, the sustained use of robots in today’s society will cause a decrease in social morals as the jobless to find ways to support their living.

The adoption of robots may lower the level of social and corporate responsibility among various firms. Most organizations may spend significant amounts of their income, developing safer systems [1]. The trend may result in decreased investment in community programs. In this case, most emerging and developed companies may lose the ability to give back to the community through different health and education programs. Therefore, most managers in the twenty-first century may focus on acquiring better-automated systems at the cost of improving the living standards of the community.

1. CONCLUSION

The development of robotics plays a significant role in the event of companies in the twenty-first century. Most managers focus on enhancing production through automated systems. Some of the social benefits that result from the extensive use of robotics include better health outcomes, reduced mortality rates, and efficiency in the production of goods and services. However, countries mat experience increased unemployment and crime rates.

 

REFERENCES

[1]        J. (Justin) Li, M. A. Bonn, and B. H. Ye, “Hotel employee’s artificial intelligence and robotics awareness and its impact on turnover intention: The moderating roles of perceived organizational support and competitive psychological climate,” Tourism Management, vol. 73, pp. 172–181, 2019.

 

[2]        R. Goel and P. Gupta, “Robotics and Industry 4.0,” in A Roadmap to Industry 4.0: Smart Production, Sharp Business, and Sustainable Development, A. Nayyar and A. Kumar, Eds. Cham: Springer, 2019, pp. 157–169.

[3]        A. Harky et al., “The Future of Open Heart Surgery in the Era of Robotic and Minimal Surgical Interventions,” Heart, Lung and Circulation, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 49–61, 2020.

[4]        H. Cheng, R. Jia, D. Li, and H. Li, “The Rise of Robots in China,” Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 71–88, 2019.

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