As the pandemic stretches on and enters into a so called endemic, one thing is becoming more and more clear. The U.S. and other countries around the world are facing a glaring labor shortage.
There are many theories as to why this is occurring. According to a recent report there are 1 million+ more jobs available (in the U.S.) as compared to those seeking work. Several of our customers have confirmed this first-hand. They indicate that they have job requisitions sitting for months with minimal interest and a serious lack of qualified applicants. As demand increases, companies will have to do more with less. In many cases the work just never gets done and is left to the backlog.
RPA as a technology can, in many cases, replicate a vast amount of job functions. In some lines of work it can automate upwards of 80% of a worker’s day to day tasks.
The remaining 20% are generally tasks in need of a human to complete, since robots are not yet capable of complex decision-making. Repetitive and predictable computerized activities can and should be automated.
Historically, the world has had an ominous view of automation with worries about computers “taking” human jobs. If the current jobs trends continue this year, it’s looking more and more like automation will be needed to fill jobs, not take them away. Industry analysts have long spoken of the way in which RPA and AI will usher in the third industrial revolution. This theory is keeping with what I’ve long been preaching: “technology will work for humans vs humans working for technology.”
While no one could have predicted a pandemic and a corresponding apathetic labor market, RPA and AI are adept enough to fill in the gaps. These technologies will provide the necessary boost companies need to thrive and compete. The human race will align itself to meaningful work and robots will do the tasks people have little desire to perform.
Written by: Peter Camp, CTO & Founder, CampTek Software
