Citizenship Will roboTs aND ai caUse Mass UNeMPloyMeNT? With the rapid technological advancement of recent years, computers are increasingly doing tasks that were previously considered exclusively human. Latest trends Nearly every day brings news of remarkable goals achieved by computers or robots, and with them always the same question: will machines completely replace humans in jobs? This question is made even more unsettling by the recent world population trends. Latest UN data show that, by 2050, our population is expected to reach 9.8 billion people, over 6 billion of whom will be of working age. Meanwhile, we are already struggling to find decent employment for 71 million young people worldwide. A world dominated by robots? A new report by UN Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD) offers several reasons why our planet is not on track to becoming a robot s world. 10 First of all, artificial intelligence, 3D printers and other innovations are generally designed to excel at a very specific set of tasks. They will rarely be able to substitute an entire occupation, which, in most cases, requires much more versatility and adaptability. Secondly, new technologies not only destroy, but also create jobs. Throughout history, technological innovations have enhanced the productivity of workers and created new products and markets, thereby generating new jobs in the economy. This will be no different for AI, 3D printing and robotics. Thirdly, just because it is technically possible to substitute an entire profession with computers, does not mean it will happen. Various economic, legal, regulatory, and socio-political factors will prevent many occupations from disappearing. So, even if it is true that advanced technology is replacing many human operators, it is unrealistic to believe that the future labour force will be made up of only humanoids. Adapted from: https://www.un.org/en/desa/will-robots-and-aicause-mass-unemployment-not-necessarily-they-do-bring-other complete the sentences below with a maximum of four words. 1. Today, robots can perform tasks that were previously considered .......................................................... 2. Today it is not easy to find a decent occupation for ......................................................... . 3. A UN report says that there are several reasons to 4. Any advanced technology is able to carry out only a limited .......................................................... 5. Technology also gives the opportunity to create new jobs as it has always .......................................................... 6. Economic, politic, and social factors believe that robots will never completely ......................................................... new technologies to ......................................................... . completely replace human work. 11 class WorK Discuss the given points with the class. Will our future be inhabited by humanoids too? Will we be able to live our everyday life with humanoids? What are the main threats from humanoids? What are the main benefits? to enhance: migliorare nearly: quasi to struggle: combattere threat: minaccia track: sentiero, traccia, percorso unsettling: inquietante 280 aUToMaTioN aND roboTics Elettronica-Informatica.indb 280 25/01/24 16:10