Today new technologies are emerging(mới nổi) but few people understand its
impact. As a result, development in technology often appears as
unrelated events and few would notice. However people do pay attention
to economic changes or market fluctuation but few understand that these
changes are caused by technology. To understand future market changes
and its economic impact, you must look at the technology first.
Most people would agree that the world today is getting smaller as economic event in one place can impact other quickly. The stable economy among developed countries is over as old business rules are no longer valid. Huge capital and big size do not matter anymore and barrier to competition is vanishing(biến mất) fast. New global rule dictates(ra lênh,bắt buộc) that the fast will beat the slow and the agile will capture the market. In order to be fast and agile, company must utilize technology. For example, it takes 3 hours to assemble a smart phone using low skilled workers in assembly line. A robot can do that in 16 minutes and with better quality. A fully automated factory using robots can produce one thousand smart phones in an hour but it takes 2 days for an assembly line with hundreds of labor worker to produce the same amount. The result is obvious and that is why automation and robots are the new direction in manufacturing industry today.
Last week there was a debate on the impact of technology on the global economy. Several economists voiced their opinions that we should not develop advanced technology such as robotics as they will put people out of work and increase unemployment. What these economists did not understand is although robots will put some people out of work but they will also create new job opportunities with higher paying that could improve the economy better than the effect of the displaced labor jobs.
If we look back into history, we may notice that in 1946, there were economists who argued that the U.S. should not develop computers because it could make people stop learning as the computer would “think” for them. There was an article written by a well-known economist protested the development of computers, especially attacked IBM, the largest computer company at that time. We now know that computers did replace workers such as people who work in offices, accountants, clerks, typists etc. but in return, it also created a substantial number of hardware engineers, software developers and promotes a new industry that brought more wealth to the U.S. economy and creates high paying jobs for millions of worker.
As we enter the 21st century, globalization changes many things. In this “Flat world” competition is fierce(khốc liệt). The only way that a country can maintain its position is utilizing technology to its advantage. Innovation can create new industries and more jobs. For example, the Personal Computer gives birth to companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook etc., and these companies are hiring millions of technology worker. Thirty five years ago, Apple was just a small company created by two young persons in their parents’ garage. Today Apple is the largest and most profitable company in the world. Google started with a small loan of few thousand dollars but today the company is worth over $170 billion dollars.
It is important to encourage robotics instead of worry about jobs being lost by robots. Robotics is the new industry that can create more jobs. For example, robots must be programmed by software developers and according to some estimates; the robotics industry will need over 1.2 million software developers in the next ten years. Instead of worry that robots will take over labor jobs, it is better to worry that current education systems cannot develop enough software developers to meet this new demand. Without software developers, the robotics industry will not thrive(phát triển mạnh).
Since future robotics will involve complex interaction between robots and human, it will need more engineers, more scientists, and more software developers than ever. If the personal computer industry has created wealth to people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg than the robotics industry will also created similar entrepreneurs like them. Who are they are not known at this time but I am sure there will be some. If information technology has created company like Apple, Microsoft, Google than the Robotics industry will also create companies like that or maybe bigger. The race to develop the next Microsoft or Google in robotics has started; who will be the winner is still unknown.
Today Europe and Japan have very strong government support of robotics. The European Union and its members spend well over $1.2 billion a year for robotics-related research; S. Korea spends over $800 million a year and Japan spends over $400 million. Because they all see that the economic benefits of having the lead in this new technology is substantial. One government official explained: “India is focusing on software; China is focusing on manufacturing, both of them are investing in today’s technology. Our strategy is focusing on future technology by improve our education systems to develop more engineers, more scientists in robotics. We are planning to compete in the near future.”
The interesting fact about making robots is that they can capture the imagination of almost any child. By focusing in robotics, it is possible to encourage more young people to learn about technology. Imagine that a teacher takes a robot into a classroom. I am sure every young student will be excited. Teacher can explain to students that if they want to build robots, they must study mathematics, physics, and computer science. What would be a better motivation than having children to make robots that can do things based on their command?
I believe most future robots will not be in the form of hardware but rather in software. To promote robotics, it is best to start with software education. We have to accept the fact that robots will replace labor jobs but we need to emphasize that it will create more engineering and software jobs. The direction is clear that robotics is a trend that will impact many economies. Instead of cautious about this innovation for its economic impact, we should focus on improve the education systems that focus on taking advantage of this trend instead.
Most people would agree that the world today is getting smaller as economic event in one place can impact other quickly. The stable economy among developed countries is over as old business rules are no longer valid. Huge capital and big size do not matter anymore and barrier to competition is vanishing(biến mất) fast. New global rule dictates(ra lênh,bắt buộc) that the fast will beat the slow and the agile will capture the market. In order to be fast and agile, company must utilize technology. For example, it takes 3 hours to assemble a smart phone using low skilled workers in assembly line. A robot can do that in 16 minutes and with better quality. A fully automated factory using robots can produce one thousand smart phones in an hour but it takes 2 days for an assembly line with hundreds of labor worker to produce the same amount. The result is obvious and that is why automation and robots are the new direction in manufacturing industry today.
Last week there was a debate on the impact of technology on the global economy. Several economists voiced their opinions that we should not develop advanced technology such as robotics as they will put people out of work and increase unemployment. What these economists did not understand is although robots will put some people out of work but they will also create new job opportunities with higher paying that could improve the economy better than the effect of the displaced labor jobs.
If we look back into history, we may notice that in 1946, there were economists who argued that the U.S. should not develop computers because it could make people stop learning as the computer would “think” for them. There was an article written by a well-known economist protested the development of computers, especially attacked IBM, the largest computer company at that time. We now know that computers did replace workers such as people who work in offices, accountants, clerks, typists etc. but in return, it also created a substantial number of hardware engineers, software developers and promotes a new industry that brought more wealth to the U.S. economy and creates high paying jobs for millions of worker.
As we enter the 21st century, globalization changes many things. In this “Flat world” competition is fierce(khốc liệt). The only way that a country can maintain its position is utilizing technology to its advantage. Innovation can create new industries and more jobs. For example, the Personal Computer gives birth to companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook etc., and these companies are hiring millions of technology worker. Thirty five years ago, Apple was just a small company created by two young persons in their parents’ garage. Today Apple is the largest and most profitable company in the world. Google started with a small loan of few thousand dollars but today the company is worth over $170 billion dollars.
It is important to encourage robotics instead of worry about jobs being lost by robots. Robotics is the new industry that can create more jobs. For example, robots must be programmed by software developers and according to some estimates; the robotics industry will need over 1.2 million software developers in the next ten years. Instead of worry that robots will take over labor jobs, it is better to worry that current education systems cannot develop enough software developers to meet this new demand. Without software developers, the robotics industry will not thrive(phát triển mạnh).
Since future robotics will involve complex interaction between robots and human, it will need more engineers, more scientists, and more software developers than ever. If the personal computer industry has created wealth to people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg than the robotics industry will also created similar entrepreneurs like them. Who are they are not known at this time but I am sure there will be some. If information technology has created company like Apple, Microsoft, Google than the Robotics industry will also create companies like that or maybe bigger. The race to develop the next Microsoft or Google in robotics has started; who will be the winner is still unknown.
Today Europe and Japan have very strong government support of robotics. The European Union and its members spend well over $1.2 billion a year for robotics-related research; S. Korea spends over $800 million a year and Japan spends over $400 million. Because they all see that the economic benefits of having the lead in this new technology is substantial. One government official explained: “India is focusing on software; China is focusing on manufacturing, both of them are investing in today’s technology. Our strategy is focusing on future technology by improve our education systems to develop more engineers, more scientists in robotics. We are planning to compete in the near future.”
The interesting fact about making robots is that they can capture the imagination of almost any child. By focusing in robotics, it is possible to encourage more young people to learn about technology. Imagine that a teacher takes a robot into a classroom. I am sure every young student will be excited. Teacher can explain to students that if they want to build robots, they must study mathematics, physics, and computer science. What would be a better motivation than having children to make robots that can do things based on their command?
I believe most future robots will not be in the form of hardware but rather in software. To promote robotics, it is best to start with software education. We have to accept the fact that robots will replace labor jobs but we need to emphasize that it will create more engineering and software jobs. The direction is clear that robotics is a trend that will impact many economies. Instead of cautious about this innovation for its economic impact, we should focus on improve the education systems that focus on taking advantage of this trend instead.
Prof John Vu
Carnegie Mellon University
Original source: http://www.segvn.org/forum/mvnforum/viewthread_thread,1685
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