‘Robot Wars Is Scaremongering’: Majority Of Manufacturers Say Automation Will INCREASE Jobs
52% of manufacturing professionals say that there is resistance from employees when implementing robotics in the workplace

The increased introduction of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in the UK workplace will actually create, not destroy, jobs – according to a new report by The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF).
The survey of 1,000 manufacturing professionals has revealed that 63.3% have never witnessed an employee lose his/her job as a result of automation, with 36.7% saying such a process actually created jobs.
These figures come in stark contrast to findings released two weeks ago, when it was reported that 30% of the UK workforce were at risk of being made redundant due to increased AI.
Indeed, respondents appeared to have shrugged off such fears – with 72.6% believing society is being scare-mongered into thinking robotics and automation are a negative progression.
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In a bid to change such a mindset, 78.9% of those surveyed believe more should be done to promote the benefits of automation in the workforce – with 45.8% believing their business fails to communicate a positive message on the matter.
Unsurprisingly therefore, 52% admit that there is resistance from employees when implementing new automated processes.
Steve Barraclough, CEO of the CIEHF, said:
“Robots and automation are regularly given a bad name. However, whilst automation might remove some mundane and repetitive jobs, it also makes a significant contribution to ‘upskilling’ employees, which is often overlooked.
“Automation requires programmers and maintainers in areas where they may not have been previously necessary. This presents a real opportunity to businesses and manufacturers that are embracing change. It’s essential to keep people at the heart of new technology and to ‘on-board’ staff at the earliest opportunity. Human factors plays a significant role in the on-boarding process and is essential to ensuring employees are not resistant to change.”