Robots Do It Better: Why Automation Is Good for Business

No matter what your job is, it's likely that a machine will someday do it better. And, for many American workers, that day may come sooner than later. According to a paper published by researchers at Ball State University, roughly half of the jobs American workers perform could be automated in the near future; the study also found low-income work as the category most susceptible to automation. While change is inevitable in the more physical professions, it's increasingly apparent that knowledge-based jobs -- those requiring some special skills or expertise -- are equally at risk. In fact, some of those positions are already being replaced. As a college professor, I spend most of my days reading, writing and thinking about theoretical topics.