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Today's 6th graders will hit their prime working years in 2030.
By that time, the "robot apocalypse" could be fully upon us. Automation and artificial intelligence could have eliminated half the jobs in the United States economy.
Or, plenty of jobs could still exist, but today's students could be locked in a fierce competition for a few richly rewarded positions requiring advanced technical and interpersonal skills. Robots and algorithms would take care of what used to be solid working- and middle-class jobs. And the kids who didn't get that cutting-edge computer science course or life-changing middle school project? They'd be relegated to a series of dead-end positions, serving the elites who did.
Alternatively, maybe Bill Gates and Elon Musk and the other big names ringing the alarm are wrong. A decade from now, perhaps companies will still complain they can't find employees who can read an instruction manual and pass a drug test. Maybe workers will still be able to hold on to the American Dream, so long as they can adjust to incremental technological shifts in the workplace.
Which vision will prove correct?
30 years into the Information Revolution and schools are only just now realizing they should teach kids how to code...
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Snotnose on Friday December 15 2017, @12:23AM (6 children)
In the next 10-15 years most programming will be outsourced to the lowest price. Factory jobs will be replaced by robots. Truck drivers will be replaced by self driving trucks. Fast food will automate both order taking and cooking the food. Retail will be self-checkout, with robots restocking shelves overnight.
I predict half of legal stuff will be taken over by programs, but if you're on trial and have a scenario where you could go to jail, you'll still have a human lawyer. You will go to a doctor, where nurses will take care of you. Need physical therapy? A person will help. Toilet backed up? Your plumber will not be some dude in India on a tech support line.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 2) by EETech1 on Friday December 15 2017, @06:20AM
A good smart toilet would know what's plugging it, and order the proper fix via drone delivery.
Would you like the:
Plunger
or
Super deluxe blockage kit (recommend based on your eating habits)
How about some pepto to go with that (recommended based on your drinking habits)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 15 2017, @07:27AM (4 children)
Word to the wise: Proctology. Can't out-source sticking a finger up your butt! Recession proof. And the hours are reasonable, never on-call at all hours. If I were a young person in search of a trade, it would either be proctology or jmorris.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Friday December 15 2017, @09:42AM
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 2) by Unixnut on Friday December 15 2017, @10:57AM (1 child)
Good point!
Actually I would add dentistry and hygienists to that. They need fine motor control, a medical background, good manners to deal with patients, and there is no shortage of work (people always need their teeth done, especially hygienists as that is "maintenance work" that needs to be done every 6-12 months). I don't see robotic dentists/hygienists any time soon
Also, I think it would be preferable to stick my fingers in peoples mouths all day, rather than their ass, but that depends on the individuals proclivities
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Friday December 15 2017, @12:19PM
Aw, you don't need dentists when you have dentics!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3S20quHd-_A [youtube.com]
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday December 15 2017, @09:01PM
Obviously you haven't heard of Fisto [wikia.com].
Washington DC delenda est.