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10 Indian J.L. & Just. 1 (2019)
Future Technology and Labour - Are We Heading towards a Jobless Future?

handle is hein.journals/ijlj10 and id is 199 raw text is: Future Technology and Labour - Are we Heading
Towards a Jobless Future?
Dr. Sunitha Abhay Jain'
Abstract
Technological innovations and the invention of machines powered by Artificial
intelligence2have changed the way we work, interact and carry on our everyday
lives. Automation wave has revolutionized the manner in which the traditional
manufacturing and service-oriented industries are functioning today. The first
industrial revolution was triggered with the invention of steam engine and also led
to mechanical production. The invention of electricity and assembly lines resulted in
the second industrial revolution where mass production became feasible. The third
industrial revolution was driven by computer, digital technology and the internet.
The future technologies have resulted in the fourth industrial revolution. The new
age technological innovations and inventions such as the automated robots; big
data and analytics; augmented reality; the cloud; cyber security; additive
manufacturing; horizontal and vertical integration; the internet of things are
transforming industrial production and labour relations. There is a drastic
improvement in the entire chain of production ranging from design up to
productivity, the speed and the quality at which the goods are produced. As a result
of the new age technologies various concerns are raised especially its impact on the
employment. Many labourers are rendered unemployed and redundant due to
automation. The question that arises is whether we are approaching a jobless
future?? The job market in India is also undergoing a transformation and posing
many social, economic, legal and ethical challenges. Job structure is changing and
the workers need to equip themselves with new skills to fit into the new jobs that are
emerging as a result of technological innovation. The education system in any
country plays a pivotal role in the overall development of an economy as it caters to
the needs of the trained and skilled manpower. It is vital for the education system in
the country to re-orient itself to cater to the needs of the students to fit into the
changing paradigm. The focus of the education needs to be on imparting ife-skills
and to improve the thinking, problem-solving and decision-making ability of the
individuals in a society. In the light of the above, it is also important to address and
discuss the various changes, issues and challenges that are taking place in the
labour market including the impact of these technologies on the working hours,
wages, the working environment and the labour relations amongst others.
Keywords: Redundancy of Labour; Fourth Industrial Revolution; Artificial
Intelligence
1 Associate Professor and LLM Co-ordinator, School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be
University),  Bengalurm.     The    author   can   be   reached   at
sunitha.abhay@christuniversity.in
2 The term, 'Artificial Intelligence' describes the work processes of machines that
would require intelligence if performed by human. It means investigating intelligent
problem-solving  behavior  and  creating  intelligent  computer  systems
(https://www.ibanet.org).

1

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