How do we value people in an increasingly automated world?

Automation has accelerated everything and we are seeing the fall out of that in the following ways...

1) more automation, less jobs and people required

2) less unskilled jobs available

3) advanced computer skills as the norm

4) project based businesses resulting in contract based work opportunities

5) more competition for highly skilled specialist skills

6) fastest growth when technology and traditional businesses meet.

7) telecommunications and technology pushing jobs off shore to make the company competitive

History shows us that when there is swift change in our economies we get social and political rest - e.g the Agrarian Revolution of the 18th-19th centuries and the 19th century Industrial Revolution. In the 20th century we saw the birth of the Information Age (also known as the Computer Age, Digital Age or New Media Age) characterised by the shift from traditional industry that the Industrial Revolution brought through industrialisation, to an economy based on information computerisation.We are on the brink of a new age we might call the Age of Artificial Intelligence or the Automation Age.

A notable difference between those previous revolutions is the speed with which the new ages are coming in and making the change. Automation was the story of comic books and children's cartoons (think the Jetson's episode Rosey the Robot ) in the 1960's and in less than 60 years we are on the brink of making Rosey a reality.

The problem with automation is not its capacity to make our jobs redundant, rather it's about making humans redundant, starting with devaluing us. 

For more than 100 years or more we have valued humans in accordance with what they've contributed to the economy, in other words how they've worked, what skills they've had and how much they've been paid. We've had a hierarchical system of work, hours and rewards. It hasn't been very equitable in terms of human value and certainly needs to change but how? And is automation going to overtake us so we have no choice?

As automation increases so too will we see a need for an increase in social services such as unemployment benefits, a greater divide between the haves and have nots and pressure on all other social services such as affordable housing, healthcare and re-education options. At the rate we are currently moving to address these issues there will be an inevitable increasing gap for the unemployed to navigate.

Forward thinking Finns are starting to address this with their social experiment into "universal basic income" (begun this year) which works on the basis that as a human being you are entitled to a basic living wage and that if you wish to work you can without being penalised. Along with a new definition of a working week as 6 hours per day for 4 days, this is quite a revolutionary experiment.

So what could this program achieve?

It could:

• alleviate issues of seasonal work or short contracts being unfulfilled
• remove the need for unemployment benefits and 
• open up opportunity for more positive outcomes 
• result in less emotional distress and worry associated with being out of work (including less wear and tear on the health system)
• remove the stigma and isolation associated with long term unemployment
• increase well being and self esteem
• enable people to use their skills as volunteers to develop and strengthen communities because their basic needs are accounted for
• allow people to follow their own passions and purpose and contribute as they see fit.

Melody R. Green is an Angel Communicator, Soul Coach, Energy Healer and Award-winning Author of Your Career Your Way. Melody assists others to connect to their Soul Path and bring more joy into their lives.