What jobs are humans going to do in the future?

Irish Slaves for Europe · 20-08-2011 07:44AM #1

In the not too distant future, computers/robots will be doing practically all the jobs we currently do. Its hard to think of a profession where computers/robots will not be able to do a better job than humans, and they do it cheaper, and no whinging about work conditions/being sick/maternity leave, none of that hassle whatsoever.

This all begs the question, what exactly are we going to do in the future? Apart from the people maintaining these computers, and the people writing new software for them, what are the rest of us going to do?

Ghandee · 20-08-2011 07:50AM

Irish Slaves for Europe wrote: »

In the not too distant future, computers/robots will be doing practically all the jobs we currently do. Its hard to think of a profession where computers/robots will not be able to do a better job than humans, and they do it cheaper, and no whinging about work conditions/being sick/maternity leave, none of that hassle whatsoever.

This all begs the question, what exactly are we going to do in the future? Apart from the people maintaining these computers, and the people writing new software for them, what are the rest of us going to do?

blow ones?
trust me, dyson's don't feel as good.

Lambsbread · 20-08-2011 07:52AM

you answered your own question: people maintaining these computers, and the people writing new software for them

Irish Slaves for Europe · 20-08-2011 07:58AM

Lambsbread wrote: »

you answered your own question: people maintaining these computers, and the people writing new software for them

but there won't be enough jobs for everyone

joshrogan · 20-08-2011 08:11AM

People will be given meanial tasks to complete in return for a basic living. Chop 50 tree's and replant for a loaf of bread etc.

holystungun9 · 20-08-2011 08:25AM

We'll need more people to work in the dole offices.

the keen edge · 20-08-2011 08:28AM

Tradesmen.

Sure ya can't go wrong with a trade behind ya.

Akrasia · 20-08-2011 08:38AM

After the singularity humans will will be farmed for raw materials or more likely disposed of entirely as we're too much trouble to keep as slaves

Saila · 20-08-2011 09:07AM

think you're getting a little carried away with the scale of things computers can do, they are great for repeating the same thing over and over but not so much good at thinking on their feet, AI is and always will be rubbish in comparison to humans

chillywilly · 20-08-2011 09:09AM

Listen to the song "In the year 2525". It answers your question.

c_man · 20-08-2011 10:05AM

I'm glad I'm a software engineer. There's a certain security in it. I mean if it ever comes that a computer can do my job well then the human race is bolloxed.

PAULWATSON · 20-08-2011 10:05AM

irrelevant question, read the georgia guidestones, you "lads" won't be about!

MGMTea · 20-08-2011 10:07AM

Programmers, engineers looking after our new robot overlords etc.. adapt or die OP ADAPT OR DIEEE

wal100 · 20-08-2011 10:14AM

chillywilly wrote: »

Listen to the song "In the year 2525". It answers your question.

Voodoo_rasher · 20-08-2011 10:20AM

Irish Slaves for Europe wrote: »

In the not too distant future, computers/robots will be doing practically all the jobs we currently do.

This all begs the question, what exactly are we going to do in the future? Apart from the people maintaining these computers, and the people writing new software for them, what are the rest of us going to do?

don't forsee robotic physiotherapists, robotic gp's, robotic counsellors incapable of empathising...

robotic tourist-guides would sound like boring proper dryballs would they not?

James T Kirk · 20-08-2011 10:26AM

We'll be the butlers to the monkey-butlers.

Sea Sharp · 20-08-2011 10:27AM

We'll be robo-whore technicians.

Wibbs · 20-08-2011 10:30AM

Saila wrote: »

think you're getting a little carried away with the scale of things computers can do, they are great for repeating the same thing over and over but not so much good at thinking on their feet, AI is and always will be rubbish in comparison to humans

That's one helluva prediction there and one I'd have difficulty with. Sooner or later we will replicate near human intelligence and when that happens and said intelligences are tasked with building their replacements that process will speed up exponentially. After all you're a "computer" a thinking machine. A very complex one, but a machine nonetheless. So it's reproducible. Nature does it and we've always tinkered with and reproduced (and often improved on)nature so this won't be any different.

CreepingDeath · 20-08-2011 10:40AM

Even if a computer were as smart as a human, it would be a blank slate, like a baby. We learn a massive amount from our senses. Even stupid stuff like playing like blocks as a baby teaches us how to stack objects, the stability of them etc.

There would be two main areas humans could still serve a more intelligent computer.
1. training it / feeding it more "sanitized" data. Ie. non-conflicting facts, ranking the source as reliable or not.
2. over seeing any decisions/inferences made, to check it.

If you were to let a computer automatically "read" the entire internet right now, there would be a tonne of contradictions, eg. between science pages and religious pages. You need to rank the data according to reliability and factualness, the real and the imaginary.

Wibbs · 20-08-2011 10:43AM

Oh yea it would have to have the equivalent of a childhood to learn.

James T Kirk · 20-08-2011 10:44AM

Machines exponentially replicating human intelligence. Still monkey-butler-butlers tbh.

Cianos · 20-08-2011 11:04AM

Ghandee wrote: »

blow ones?
trust me, dyson's don't feel as good.

Miles Dyson?

Saila · 20-08-2011 11:12AM

Wibbs wrote: »

That's one helluva prediction there and one I'd have difficulty with. Sooner or later we will replicate near human intelligence and when that happens and said intelligences are tasked with building their replacements that process will speed up exponentially. After all you're a "computer" a thinking machine. A very complex one, but a machine nonetheless. So it's reproducible. Nature does it and we've always tinkered with and reproduced (and often improved on)nature so this won't be any different.

It is but I stand by it, there is a MASSIVE amount they dont know about the brain and never will, its a bit like trying to explain reality, you cant, there is a certain amount you just have to accept and get on with realising you will never know no matter how hard you try.

Irish Slaves for Europe · 20-08-2011 11:15AM

Voodoo_rasher wrote: »

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don't forsee robotic physiotherapists, robotic gp's, robotic counsellors incapable of empathising...

robotic tourist-guides would sound like boring proper dryballs would they not?

I disagree. Robots will be much better than humans at detecting tones of voice, pitches and emotions in peoples voices much better than humans can. They will also automatically be able to tell if someone is lying by using sensors etc. Anything a human is taught about councelling can be taught to a robot. The robots will be able to store more knowledge, process information quicker and come up with better solutions in nano seconds. It can analysis the results of billions of hours of councelling done around the globe, and come up with the best solution for the patient based on their personality. Robots processing power, knowledge, and decision making will be infinity better than any humans limited ability. They will be better able to emulate empathy than any human because their empathy will be much more real than some overpaid human who feeds on the misery of their patients.

Its just a matter of time.

Napper Hawkins · 20-08-2011 11:19AM

When a computer can write a song like Stairway to heaven then I'll be convinced, otherwise meh.

Saila · 20-08-2011 11:19AM

Irish Slaves for Europe wrote: »

I disagree. Robots will be much better than humans at detecting tones of voice, pitches and emotions in peoples voices much better than humans can. They will also automatically be able to tell if someone is lying by using sensors etc. Anything a human is taught about physiotherapy can be taught to a robot. The robots will be able to store more knowledge, process information quicker and come up with better solutions in nano seconds. It can analysis the results of billions of hours of physiotherapy done around the globe, and come up with the best solution for the patient based on their personality. Robots processing power, knowledge, and decision making will be infinity better than any humans limited ability. They will be better able to emulate empathy than any human because their empathy will be much more real than some overpaid human who feeds on their misery of their patients.

Its just a matter of time.

in the same sense that an infinite amount of monkeys, typewriters and time will produce the full set of shakespeares work word for word. The reality is the universe will have disappeared before they get to finish! same with humans developing robots to act the exact same as humans

Sonics2k · 20-08-2011 11:19AM

Irish Slaves for Europe wrote: »

I disagree. Robots will be much better than humans at detecting tones of voice, pitches and emotions in peoples voices much better than humans can. They will also automatically be able to tell if someone is lying by using sensors etc. Anything a human is taught about councelling can be taught to a robot. The robots will be able to store more knowledge, process information quicker and come up with better solutions in nano seconds. It can analysis the results of billions of hours of councelling done around the globe, and come up with the best solution for the patient based on their personality. Robots processing power, knowledge, and decision making will be infinity better than any humans limited ability. They will be better able to emulate empathy than any human because their empathy will be much more real than some overpaid human who feeds on their misery of their patients.

Its just a matter of time.

Right, so you know people have been claiming this stuff since at least the 1960's.

They also said we'd be able to live on the Moon by the 80's.

Ivan_itch · 20-08-2011 11:22AM

Its closer than you think http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14574747

Irish Slaves for Europe · 20-08-2011 11:23AM

Sonics2k wrote: »

Right, so you know people have been claiming this stuff since at least the 1960's.

Obviously its not going to happen overnight, but given the pace of technology its likely to happen in about 50 years time.

Wibbs · 20-08-2011 11:30AM

Saila wrote: »

It is but I stand by it, there is a MASSIVE amount they dont know about the brain

True but we're learning more and more on a daily basis. You should see some of the research on this front it's fascinating.

and never will

This is where I vigorously disagree. I have an encylopedia from the 30's and it claims we'll never travel in space with all sorts of references to learned men backing this up. "Never will" is an awfully long time and lazy thinking.

its a bit like trying to explain reality, you cant,

Eh yea, we kinda can, or are getting very very close to explaining physical reality. What we know today about teh nature of existence is double of what we knew even a century ago.

there is a certain amount you just have to accept and get on with realising you will never know no matter how hard you try.

God I couldn't live with that thinking at all. If we had we'd be still living in caves. Unless you think there's someting about the brain that is intrinsically special and outside of the physical universe then it is a question of engineering, reverse engineering and improvement.

Sonics2k · 20-08-2011 11:34AM

Irish Slaves for Europe wrote: »

Obviously its not going to happen overnight, but given the pace of technology its likely to happen in about 50 years time.

Yeah but they kinda said that well over 50 years ago now :P

Now I don't doubt computer's will grow a lot more from what they are now, but I really don't see it happening within our lifetime.

What jobs are humans going to do in the future?

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