The rise of robotics and AI: Impacts on human employment

The recent announcement by the UK government on its investment in AI marks a significant step towards embracing this technological revolution. The government has pledged substantial funding to support AI research and development, aiming to position the UK as a global leader in this field. This investment is expected to spur innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and ensure that the UK remains competitive in the international arena.

The rapid development of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries worldwide, offering unprecedented capabilities in automation and decision-making. However, these advances also bring significant challenges, particularly regarding the future of human employment.

Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, recently highlighted the transformative potential of “physical AI”—intelligent systems capable of interacting with the physical world as seamlessly as they do with the digital realm. These systems, from autonomous robots to AI-driven manufacturing tools, promise to revolutionise sectors such as logistics, healthcare, and construction. Huang’s vision underscores the trajectory toward an era where machines are not just tools but collaborators, capable of tasks traditionally reserved for human workers.

This progress, while remarkable, has sparked concerns about job displacement. In October 2024, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA)) went on strike, blaming the rapid adoption of robotic technologies at ports, as proposed by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). Automated cranes, self-driving trucks, and AI-powered logistics systems were at the heart of their grievances, as the ILA claimed that such innovations threatened traditional dockworker roles. The strike brought attention to the delicate balance between technological progress and its societal implications and potentially flags the backdrop to future industrial action from organisations citing technology as the major issue.

Such disruptions are not confined to ports. Warehousing, retail, and even white-collar industries face similar transformations. Generative AI tools, for instance, are increasingly handling tasks such as content creation, legal document drafting, and customer service, raising questions about the role of human expertise in these fields. At the same time, advances in robotics are enabling machines to take on more complex, physically demanding jobs, further broadening the scope of automation.

Regulatory frameworks in the US and Europe are being developed to safeguard the ethical and responsible use of AI, including its application in robotics. The European Union's AI Act aims to establish standards to ensure safety, transparency, and accountability, while the US is advancing guidelines to address bias, privacy, and security. These regulations play a vital role in shaping how robotics are deployed, balancing innovation with the protection of workers and societal interests.

Yet, it is not all gloom. History suggests that technological revolutions often create new opportunities even as they render certain jobs obsolete. For instance, the rise of AI has fuelled demand for data scientists, machine learning engineers, and ethics specialists. Moreover, robotics and AI could alleviate labour shortages in aging societies, taking over roles that are difficult to staff while enabling humans to focus on creative and interpersonal tasks.

UK employment law permits employers to make redundancies where there is no longer a requirement for work of a particular kind. It is for employers to determine the needs of their businesses and employment tribunals will not interrogate the commercial rationale for redundancies in any great detail. Therefore, businesses looking to utilise robotics and AI to automate will not be prevented from doing so by existing UK employment law. There are, however, consultation obligations required to be undertaken where larger-scale redundancies are planned in the UK. This is also an important consideration in the European Union where Works Councils and/or trade unions are more likely to be involved and the obligation to consult is triggered at an earlier stage.

Policy responses will be crucial in navigating this transition to a more automated future. Retraining programs, universal basic income, and proactive regulations to manage AI deployment could help ensure that the benefits of these technologies are broadly shared. Collaboration between governments, corporations, and workers is essential to address the challenges of automation while harnessing its potential to improve productivity and quality of life.

The rise of robotics and AI marks a pivotal moment in human history. While the path forward may be fraught with tension—as evidenced by the ILA strike—it also offers opportunities for growth and innovation, an area that the UK government has certainly targeted as a future engine for growth.

By embracing this transformation thoughtfully, society can strive for an equitable future where humans and intelligent machines coexist and thrive.