The world of work is in full metamorphosis. Artificial intelligence, automation, robotization are producing this mutation. The change is so profound that the very meaning of work is changing, which will affect the construction of social identity and people.
This change takes place within a context of a strongly globalized and open economy, characterized by a great expansion of the financial economy, driven by ICTs and fundamentally by the trade opening of the economies. The economic transnationalization around large transnational companies, which generates the relocation of activities from developed economies to emerging economies, and the increasing demand for competitiveness in those chains that, at the same time, pressures for greater technological innovation in production processes.
Jobs will require higher qualifications and will affect the nature of many jobs. Many tasks will be automated, leaving men with high discriminatory content.
In his book "The future of work and the work of the future." Alejandro Malamed (1) lists current jobs already foretold by future ones: data scientist, cryptocurrency experts, community manager, 3D designer, influencer, programmer, app developer, droner pilot, sustainability manager, customer experience developers, cybersecurity advisor, creator of augmented reality videos, zumba teacher. We would add youtuber and experts in new legal norms.
For the future Alejandro Malamed envision these new jobs: Data Detective, Ethical Sourcing Officer, Artificial Intelligence Business Manager, Walker / Talker (Walker / Conversationalist), Fitness Engagement Counselor, Cyber Analyst, Genomic Portfolio Manager, digital tailor, wellness coach, personal memory healer, augmented reality travel builder, personal data agent.
The company Freelancer.com that hires experts in different topics that offer specific services (construction designs, data entry and administration) for different lines of work, through its director Sebastian Sisseles offers an optimistic vision because it considers that technology forces be aggiornarse but that does not destroy jobs. We interpret that although some destroys, typists have disappeared with computers, smart supermarkets are already causing the positions of clerks and ATMs to be abolished, Uber threatens to supplant the taxi and remises system, on the other hand, robotization and artificial intelligence create other jobs requiring other skills, generally of higher quality.
Marcela Romero, manager of the consultancy ManpowerGroup Solutions (2), believes that the new jobs will require especially soft skills such as communication, collaboration, problem solving, customer service, leadership and management.
The contribution of the McKinsey Global Institute (3), in its November 2017 report, will be the strategic areas that will grow exponentially.
The best way to move forward is to look to the future. With this premise, the European Commission recently published the White Paper on the Future of Europe that begins by saying that Europe was once the future and today it should consider increasing and promoting the modality of cooperative work and moving from focusing on employment to putting it on the job. job. Another change we face is moving from the missing lifetime job to a multitude of simultaneous jobs.
Education must prepare people not only throughout life but to develop professions that are still unknown today, therefore it must develop soft skills and adaptability that is the guarantee of employability in the future
The Economic and Social Council of Spain (CES) in its Report of 03/2018 confirms that work will undergo an important process of change driven by exponentially growing technology, the evolution of work organization, the increase in production as a result of robotics and artificial intelligence and new forms of interaction, of global networking and the breadth of markets.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) also contributes its concern to provide effective responses in order to fulfill its mandate to promote social justice. For this reason, its CEO, Guy Ryder, launched “The Future of Work Initiative” and created a specific unit.
In this area of uncertainty, we can resort to some studies that provide data that allow us to make speculations and projections. The third and fourth age will be another of them, but not one more but the one that demands more new jobs. It is estimated that in 2030 in America there will be 300 million more people 65 years of age or older, so in medical services and accompaniment there will be between 50 and 80 million new jobs. The Pan American Health Organization warns of the rapid growth of the adult population over 60 years of age, as observed in Canada, which has a population of 122 older adults for every 100 children. Extreme cases like Cuba, in 2025 it will have 183 adults for every 100 children. In Europe the situation is more alarming:it is estimated that in the next thirty years the adult population over 65 will increase more than 40%.
This population will require access to preventive medicine, gerontology services, personal care, therapeutic companions, social and recreational services, homes adapted to the needs of older adults, tourism for the elderly, centers for learning and recreation activities and experts in the needs of this population. Europe is already dealing with this problem through the “Everyday life assisted by the environment” (AAL) program that promotes products and services aimed at the older population. It works together with the European Union to improve the well-being of this population through intelligent information and communication solutions (ICT). They are also developing “eHealth” that provides health care at more affordable prices.This expanding world of older adults will increasingly demand specific new jobs.
It is estimated that at least a third of jobs are likely to be automated in the next 25 years.
The future job offer will be more flexible, freelance or freelance jobs will increase, through the use of digital platforms. In the United States, 30% of jobs today assume this modality.
In a knowledge economy, there are analyzes that quantify that 12 percent of jobs are potentially substitutable for technology in countries such as Germany or Spain.
In this line, changes are found more than in jobs, tasks and content. The speed of change differs greatly in the line of work (automotive industry, transport industry, footwear, tasks related to agribusiness, information) as well as the type of economy more or less developed, with a difference between countries.
Facing the future of work is ensuring the foundations of sustainable growth, promoting the green economy (Green Jobs) and the economy of citizens by developing specialized organizations in the training of people, including them in current technologies and in which they may arise. because technology is expanding, increasingly accelerated. And the processes of substitution or change in work will have a gradual rhythm where substitution, creation and transformation of jobs coexist. Formal and non-formal education, companies and social and governmental institutions must cooperate to prepare people to face these changes, Against this background, the challenges posed must be addressed from a double perspective: policies of an economic, industrial and R&D (research, development, innovation) nature that facilitate the conditions for sustainable and lasting growth that foster the conditions for true growth of a productive economy and allow the economy to adapt to changes.
Research, development and innovation (R + D + I) refers to studies related to technological and investigative advancement focused on the advancement of society since it involves correlating studies, technology (I) society (D) and innovation (I). It is a very recent equation that relates scientific technological progress and its application to the impact it produces in society.
It is true that we cannot put a brake on technology. However, all of us, governments, international organizations, unions, employers, NGOs and civil society, can manage them. For this, the International Labor Organization (ILO) launched a global dialogue in 2016. The result of three years of discussions will be published this year when this organization celebrates 100 years.
To face technological progress will require the transformation of trade union unions, public policies, education in all formats and levels, the organization of work and the world of production.
The ITUC General Secretary (The commitee for Skeptical Inquiry) Sharan Burrow public: "Social dialogue is a key element of the new social contract." A problem as broad, complex and profound as that brought about by technology applied to work can only be addressed through a broad social contract. And the author adds: “Inclusive growth is possible when there is a social contract and governments respect the role of the social partners in negotiating solutions and there is social protection, decent minimum wages, essential public services, sector policies and fair taxes. Although these societies are not immune to the challenges posed by climate change, rapid digitization, robotics, or automation,collective responsibility with regard to the negotiation of just transitions can give us answers ”(4)
The White Paper on Work and Social Protection in Europe report that Uber published on February 16, 2018 is its contribution to the debate on the future of work in a context of change in which, they say, it is necessary to find viable ways to improve work for all. Heads the article with this statement:
“The world of work is changing. While these changes may not be as rapid or profound as some suggest, it is clear that a shift towards a broader and more diverse conception of work is taking place worldwide. This transformation offers new opportunities to new and existing workers without questioning the European social model ”.
The document analyzes the current job market in Europe, highlighting its main challenges, such as reducing unemployment, equal opportunities, the necessary increase in productivity and adaptation to the cultural and social changes we are experiencing. And in this context, it analyzes the role that technology and digitization are playing.
In this regard, the Uber study ensures that there is a widespread demand for more flexible forms of work.
New jobs will require a new type of employment relationship. The current legal instrumentation that regulates the exchange of work and remuneration is adapted to formal, stable, full-time positions. The new posts are not expected to meet these characteristics nor will they have the current allocation of social protection rights.
In short, we have entered an era where technology is everywhere. People in all areas of their lives will be conditioned by technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, so will work in all its forms. Denying this reality is useless, as well as being scared by the future. Facing the problem, preparing to assume the impacts it will produce, both personally and business, institutionally, politically means not ignoring how reality will change in the very next few years.
- Malamud, Alejandro: The future of work and the work of the future. Editorial Planeta. Argentina. 2017 McKinley Global Institute: Advising Business, Public and Social Sector LeadersManpowerGroup Solutions: HR Consultant Specializing in Innovative Solutions marginal science.
