40% of Australian jobs will disappear in the next 10-15 years due to automation

[jimmy olsen]

No doubt this will affect all developed economies, our glorious Judge Dreddesque future of 98% unemployment awaits!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-33160688

Australia's robot-led future puts squeeze on humans

increasingly stepping into human shoes

Almost 40% of Australian jobs that exist today could disappear in the next 10 to 15 years thanks to advances in digital technology.

A new report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has found that automation in the next generation could transform the shape of the Australian workforce.

The tide of technological change can't be resisted, but should be seen as a boon for the economy, it is argued.

Robots looking after the washing

Robots and automation could eventually replace everything from some nursing and surgical jobs to meal preparation, driving and washing elderly patients.

In some parts of rural and regional Australia more than 60% of jobs could be lost, said CEDA Chief Executive Professor Stephen Martin.

"The pace of technological advancement in the last 20 years has been unprecedented and that pace is likely to continue for the next 20 years," he said.
Robots might even support lonely people

A more radical suggestion proffered in the report is the idea that robots could "offer support for lonely people".

If that seems hard to believe, just 10 years ago no-one thought there would be a car that drove itself.

Google has now designed such a car, which has driven around California without any accidents - except when a human driving another car rear-ended the robotic vehicle.

That development alone could dramatically change the Australian workforce where about 25% of all jobs involve driving a car, van, or truck.
No more legal clerks?

Other jobs that could disappear include cytologists who screen calls from patients for signs of cancer and any job that requires routine measurement or pattern recognition.

We might even start growing trees in particular shapes so that robots can pick the fruit.

Machine-learning algorithms are already taking a larger share of skilled jobs such as legal clerks, market research and sales, and credit-risk assessments.

It is vision of the future that isn't all shiny and bright.

The report concludes that while Australia is "uniquely placed" to benefit from digital disruption because of the strength of its service industry and education system, and its proximity to Asia's growing digital markets, Australia will only be able to successfully deal with the disruption technology will bring to the workplace if it is "embedded in the DNA of society".

[The Brain]

Dredd.

[Syt]

Well, they can use the free manpower to further guard their coasts against illegal immigrants.-

[Eddie Teach]

robots could "offer support for lonely people".

[The Larch]

Well, they can use the free manpower to further guard their coasts against illegal immigrants.-

Or to stage elaborate car chases in the outback.

[Malthus]

Well, they can use the free manpower to further guard their coasts against illegal immigrants.-

Or to stage elaborate car chases in the outback.

From the article:

It is vision of the future that isn't all shiny and bright.

Are you proposing a future that is all shiny and chrome? 

[The Brain]

Robot on the barbie?

[The Larch]

Well, they can use the free manpower to further guard their coasts against illegal immigrants.-

Or to stage elaborate car chases in the outback.

From the article:

It is vision of the future that isn't all shiny and bright.

Are you proposing a future that is all shiny and chrome? 

I propose a future in which people will be able to live, die and live again! A lovely day! Witness me!

[KRonn]

Welcome the coming dystopian future!   

[Ideologue]

Joan Robinson says move along. He brought his ideological enforcement robot and his automated rose-colored lenses.

[Admiral Yi]

This projection gives off the appearance of having been pulled from someone's ass.

[jimmy olsen]

This projection gives off the appearance of having been pulled from someone's ass.

If 25% of jobs are based on driving, and self driving cars become industry standard then it seems quite reasonable.

[Valmy]

Are we to assume every single job related to driving will be automated in 15 years? At least that will make it easier for me when my kids turn 16.

[Maximus]

Are we to assume every single job related to driving will be automated in 15 years? At least that will make it easier for me when my kids turn 16.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/01/27/how-ubers-autonomous-cars-will-destroy-10-million-jobs-and-reshape-the-economy-by-2025-lyft-google-zack-kanter/

[Monoriu]

Traffic related accidents is one of the major causes of death.  Self-driving cars will hopefully reduce that.