GlobalData: 75% of execs anticipate disruption from automation within 12 months

Three-quarters of executives are expecting their sector to be disrupted by automation within 12 months.

The findings come from research firm GlobalData which calls automation “no longer a distant dream”. Undoubtedly, the pandemic has sped up the adoption of automation as leaders seek to shelter their businesses in uncertain times and adapt to lasting societal changes.

Charlotte Dunlap, Principal Analyst at GlobalData, said:

“The pandemic has shown us just...

4 February 2022 | Digital Transformation

World Economic Forum designates Ericsson smart factory a ‘Global Lighthouse’

Ericsson’s 5G smart factory in Lewisville, Texas has received a valuable commendation from the World Economic Forum (WEF).

WEF gave the factory its “Global Lighthouse” award in recognition of the site being a global leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The smart factory has achieved 120 percent improved output per employee and a 65 percent reduction in manual material handling through the deployment of automation technologies.

Fredrik...

15 March 2021 | 5G

Research: Higher robot densities linked to increased productivity

Research has found a link between higher densities of robots in a population and increased levels of productivity.

The study – conducted by supply chain specialists Balloon One – analysed countries with similar levels of manufacturing output and looked at their densities of robots and GDP per hours worked.

The UK, in particular, is falling behind in robot density:

(Credit: Balloon One)

The UK is the glaring example here but, aside from some...

19 January 2021 | AI

WEF: Inequality likely to worsen as robots set to do half of work by 2025

A report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that robots will do half of all work tasks by 2025, with inequality likely to worsen as a result.

Concerns about the impact of automation on jobs are not exactly new, but most felt the timeline for significant change would be longer – providing more time for mass reskilling of the workforce.

The pandemic we find ourselves in is creating “a double disruption of jobs” with businesses reducing their employees while...

21 October 2020 | AI