Should AI make people work longer?

AI should help people be able to do physical labor for longer. Although this may seem scary at first, the impact of AI on the physical world of work could be very positive.

“AI is destroying jobs” or “AI is a career killer”: Current headlines paint a bleak picture of the future. For example, up to eight million workers in the United Kingdom could lose their jobs once AI can take over related tasks.

However, as with almost all bad news in the debate about the impact of AI on the world of work, there is also a downside. A company in Cambridgeshire, England, is using this technology to extend the working lives of people performing physical tasks.

Artificial intelligence at work: should people work longer?

as BBC According to reports, German Autowerks, a repair shop that specializes in German cars, has invested in technology to protect employees from workplace injuries. Reason: Some people have to give up their jobs early. The mechanics job in particular can be very stressful on the body.

Too much bending, lifting and stretching, as well as working under vehicles, can damage skeletal muscles and cause back and joint pain. This will already affect 473,000 UK workers between 2022 and 2023. German company Autowerks wants to prevent this with the new process.

How does artificial intelligence help with physical labor?

First the mechanics and technicians are filmed at work. The AI ​​then analyzes the video and identifies pressure points and potential problem areas on the body. The company then uses the information to order special exoskeletons that employees can wear to work.

These are motorized belts meant to comfort the body during physical activities. “After a few minutes, it's like you're wearing clothes,” says John McGaughey, a technician at German Autowerks. “You don't even notice it's there.”

The company provides the corresponding artificial intelligence technology Dealing with Stanley Available from Hertfordshire. The corresponding systems are intended to become standard personal protective equipment in the future, comparable to a protective helmet or high-visibility vest. AI should help an aging workforce and protect people, Andre Guettel, a solutions consultant at Stanley Handling, explained to The New York Times. BBC.

Is human labor more valuable than artificial intelligence?

Asked whether such jobs should be automated instead, Goettl replied: “I've seen a £100,000 machine become redundant in a matter of months because it's purpose-built. People are flexible and adaptable, so we think it's better Focus on helping them.

AI is already being used to support various other professions. This is the method doctors use for diagnosis and treatment. The police also take on administrative tasks carried out by artificial intelligence, relieving the burden on employees. Teachers, in turn, save time when planning lessons.

high Investigations According to the Institute for Public Research (IPPR), AI may still be responsible for job losses in the future. The institute believes that secretarial, customer service and administrative roles are most at risk. This means that development can particularly affect women.

According to Carsten Jung, chief economist at IPPR, AI will play a role for millions of people. “Government, employers and unions have the opportunity to make important decisions now that will ensure this new technology is managed well.”

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