Technology will play a huge part in the future workplace - but what will be the impact of the automation of traditionally human tasks?
What does the rise of ‘deep’ technology like artificial intelligence and increasing use of robotics mean for jobs in retail, or healthcare, or energy?
One survey says up to 20 million global jobs in manufacturing alone could be replaced by robots by 2030.
But will the march of the machines really mean that millions of people will be out of work? Another survey, by the World Economic Forum, says automation will replace about 85 million jobs globally by 2025 - but that the future tech-driven economy will create an additional 97 million new jobs.
"Humans are not good at dealing with massive volumes of data. What we're very good at doing is being able to see the nuance in that data. We can use autonomous systems to sift that data and get to a point where we need a human to make a decision." Professor Helen Hastie, an expert in the interaction between humans and robots at Heriot Watt University, insists robotics will help humans work better - not dump them on the dole.
"Very few jobs have actually disappeared due to automation; robots and autonomous systems are a tool to help humans be more efficient and effective," she says. "The net impact on jobs and quality of work and quality life will be positive.”
And Paul Winstanely, CEO of sensing and imaging innovation centre Censis, says: "Humans are not good at dealing with massive volumes of data. What we're very good at doing is being able to see the nuance in that data. We can use autonomous systems to sift that data and get to a point where we need a human to make a decision."
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