Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Researcher: Nicholas H. Mueth, Southeast Missouri State University

Date: December 12, 2018

Purpose of Report

This report investigates the growth of artificial

intelligence (AI) and autonomous computer

workers in industries across the globe, primarily

the manufacturing industry, as many big

corporations and manufacturing companies are

in the process of transitioning to using primarily

robotic workers for simple, repetitive tasks. It

also explores how combining smart AI solutions

with the idea of the Internet of Things (IoT),

sensors, and big data collection, are helping to

usher the world into its fourth industrial

revolution, referred to in the manufacturing

world as Industry 4.0. Finally, this report

explores the fears that people have concerning

AI, including the fear that autonomous robotic

workers will replace human workers completely;

and the benefits, as well as the logistical issues,

of having a society made up entirely of robotic

workers.

Findings

Through the exploration of the aforementioned topics, we found that while many people fear the

introduction of robotic workers in industry and view the advancement as something that will put

them out of work, many of these fears and views are simply that: just fears. Amazon has been

proving this, as they have replaced many of their warehouse workers with autonomous workers, yet

they have more job vacancies now than they ever have. As a result of introducing robotic workers,

they have made their warehouses push out more product at a faster pace, and have seen increased

productivity and efficiency. In fact, this change has helped them to double their profits, since the

introduction of these workers in 2014. The human workers they are replacing with robots are simply

being moved up the chain of command, and have been given more tasks that, while not as

physically challenging, are more mentally stimulating. These include tasks such as troubleshooting,

maintenance, and logistics. Amazon is just one example of a company successfully reaping the

benefits of autonomous factories and warehouses, and we predict that many more will follow suit in

the coming years.

Figure 1 (Credited to The Wall Street Journal)