Technological Innovation and the Workforce - Amazon Go
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Could technological innovation be
a problem for the future workforce?
In the past
several years there has been a significant shift in workplace culture and the presence of employees in the workforce. The increased integration of
technology into this workforce has been consider a large factor in these
changes. As this integration becomes greater through increased technological
development and changes in company operations, we are beginning to see a new
workforce comprised of these new technologies. Companies are restructuring to
put in place innovative technological systems, and this often means the removal
of first-line workers (people who customers engage with).
Just
like when we walk into a Shoppers Drug Mart or a grocery store, we can now see
how technologies are increasingly being used to replace employees. And this
process is only becoming more widespread. On the one hand, it could be argued
that the integration of these innovative technologies, such as self-checkout
systems, into stores are more convenient and effective as they make the
shopping and checkout faster, thus improving the customer experience. On the
other hand, these technologies could be seen as damaging to the workforce, and
its culture, as they take over the skills that people provide.
Recently there
has been a lot of discussion around Amazon Go stores, which are “cashierless”,
meaning people simply walk in and out without having to go through a checkout
line, as payment happens automatically through the customers smartphone.
Although these stores are only currently in the US, Amazon recently announced a
plan to open more. While this is an extremely innovative business strategy,
what does this mean for the future of the role of technology in the workplace?
Should this kind of integration of technology be appreciated, or does it pose a
legitimate threat to the future workforce.
When we
consider these questions, the potential problems of technological innovation
can be recognized, particularly in regard to culture. These new innovative
technologies that Amazon has spent the last five years researching, developing
and testing have the ability to drastically change the culture of consumption,
the culture of the workforce, and ultimately heighten the role that technology
has in our lives and our culture. Perhaps we need to consider the consequences
that such innovative practices, and the constant demand for innovation within
our culture, will have on our lives and our futures. Although technologies are
extremely beneficial, it could be argued that we have gotten to the point where
the use, and integration of, technology in our lives has been so normalized
that we fail to consider the damage that such innovation could be doing.
- Do you think that technological innovation has
become too powerful of a process that it has negatively changed workplace
practice and culture?
- In thinking about the innovation of self-service
technologies and “cashierless” shopping experiences, do you think that the need
for a human workforce is being challenged or threatened? How does this kind of
technology demonstrate the problems of innovation, if at all?
- How do you feel about the increased integration of
innovative technologies in almost all aspects of our lives?
To read more
about what Amazon Go is all about, here is an article to give you more
info: http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/26/technology/amazon-go-store/index.html
If you want to read more about Amazon Go's plans to
expand, here is an interesting article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/21/technology/inside-amazon-go-a-store-of-the-future.html
If you are interested in how this is taking place in
Canada, you can read more about Metro’s plans here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/metro-checkout-minimum-wage-1.4510783
The advent of technologies such as self-checkouts can definitely have an impact on the retail sector. Another salient example of technology invading this sector is computers within stores like Chapters or Canadian Tire that replace the need for employees that aid people to find items around these stores. I find that there must be a medium in order to not completely automate the retail sector. Employees and these technologies must work in tandem but i believe that this won't be the case in the near future. An issue that arises from the takeover of the retail sector through technology is the loss of jobs that will ensue. This sector employs many people of all ages; the more loss of jobs through this will affect many, many people leading to inequality.
ReplyDeleteI have used and enjoyed innovative technologies for most of my life from playing video games as a kid to having my first Iphone, practically my entire life has been shaped through the use of innovative technology. The question is how much further can technologies become integrated with people and the sky is the limit. For now i believe that this technology has had a positive effect on many people.