Article
Man and Machine: Robots on the rise?
The impact of automation on the Swiss job market
Technological developments are changing the world and the way we work. Self-driving vehicles, 3D printers, and artificial intelligence are providing new business opportunities, raising concerns that jobs will be replaced with automated processes. However, mass-unemployment has not been realised in the medium to long-term. On the contrary, economic output and employment have risen substantially in developed countries, but is everything different this time? Will advances in technology create a jobless future?
To estimate the effect of automation on jobs more accurately, economists from the University of Oxford calculated which and how many jobs in the US are at high risk of being replaced due to automation. Based on these calculations, Deloitte in Switzerland carried out a similar analysis for Switzerland. The results of this analysis is presented in more detail in this report.
Key findings
- The impact of automation on the workforce is already visible in Switzerland. Jobs with a low risk of being replaced by automation have grown significantly over the last 25 years, while jobs with a high risk have grown less vigorously or have even decreased.
- In the coming years or decades almost 50% of current jobs could be rendered obsolete by automation.
- However, more jobs have been created in the past 25 years than have been lost. Therefore it is reasonable to expect that automation will continue to offer more opportunities in the future.
- Employees of all qualification levels will be able to benefit from the opportunities automation has to offer, with jobs requiring creativity, social interaction and a high level of customer service being best placed to do so.
- Progressive automation is a great opportunity for businesses, as long as they adapt their business processes ahead of time.
- Prices and margins can be improved by enhancing customer experience and concentrating on design to implement simpler and leaner structures.
- Automation can decrease marginal costs, allowing more scope for price setting.
Infographic
Related topics
- The robots are coming: This report will help shared services and GBS leaders understand what a robot is and is not, what are the benefits that can be achieved, how can robotics be successfully implemented, what makes a process a candidate for robotics.
- Next generation automation: This report highlights the differences between robotic automation + artificial intelligence led automation and helps you choose which to prioritize.
- Structural change creates jobs: This study shows that the positive effects of automation in Switzerland will continue to dominate in the future.
- The robots are here: This report examines Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and its role in shared services and Global Business Services (GBS).
- Transforming the Swiss economy - The impact of automation on employment and industries: This study examines the impact of automation on Swiss industries and the associated challenges and opportunities for companies.
Recommendations
Transforming the Swiss economy
The impact of automation on employment and industries
The robots are here – meet your digital workforce
Robotic Process Automation