Will Robots Take Our Jobs?

BUSINESS Will Robots Take Our Jobs? How will digitization and automation affect the world of work? Will robots do our work? What changes in business structures should be expected when the new generation arrives? Answers to these (and similar) questions were presented at the conference Invest More (subtitled “Digitization, automation, but what about people?”) held on Sept. 17 in Triple Hall in Nová Karolina, Ostrava. The Moravian-Silesian Region is responding to a great opportunity to develop the concept of Industry 4.0: there is a unique combination of industrial know-how and innovative businesses which is crucial for the future progress of the region. The governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Mr Ivo Vondrák, emphasizes that universities are getting ready for this trend. New programmes aim at the instruction of interdisciplinary engineers as well as social science. Experts introduced at the conference confirmed that businesses will always need employees, yet their roles will transform. The sooner employees get ready to work with advanced digital technologies, get more informed and trained in IT and practical skills, the better, said Táňa Strojná of ManpowerGroup. At the same time, the system of education (and the education of young talent) must respond to these demands. The interconnection of education, practice and schools is vital, according to Pavel Kysilka. The programme of the conference targeted at talent management, corporate culture, AI and labour power. The audience and participants in expert lectures and panel discussions also watched a live visual sketchnoting, or a 2D print of their portrait or company logo in coffee foam. The conference was organized by Moravskoslezské Investice a Development, a.s. (Moravian-Silesian Investments and Development). POSITIV ǀ 3/2018 25