The Impact of Advanced Automation and the Cloud on Employment

Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Computer Science - Commercial Information Technology, grade: 2.1, Trinity College Dublin - The University of Dublin, language: English, abstract: One of the primary fears in the current global community is the exponential growth and continued sophistication of artificial intelligence. Fundamental to this concern is the wide ranging impact that this growth will not only leave on the world as we currently know it, but on the place of humans in that world. This has become termed as 'the singularity'-the point in time when machines will become self-learning, and more importantly, self-aware. It is at this point that machines and robotics will be elevated from the current monotonous job operations to more high skilled areas. This study looks into the drive towards advanced automation and the increased sophistication of artificial intelligence in conjunction with the cloud and how this growth will eventually lead to technological unemployment. Some economists are predicting up to a 50% job loss or more. Predicting the future typically means extrapolating the past. It often fails to anticipate breakthroughs. But it is precisely those unpredictable breakthroughs in computing that could have the biggest impact on the workforce. Education and up skilling current workers will be the only way to ensure continued relevance within an automated workforce. By focusing on education it will ensure people are best placed to take advantage of this new age of advanced automation. This dissertation concludes that innovation through creativity will ensure employment opportunities continue to present themselves to those best prepared for such changes.