Robot workers of the future

A THIRD of all jobs in the UK could be at risk from robots, according to new research.

In 20 years’ time, it’s projected that one in three Britons – in particular those in low level, repetitive jobs – could be replaced by robots and computers.

The report by the University of Oxford and professional services firm Deloitte, reveals that 10 million jobs are at risk from huge advances in the field of technology, and the Daily Telegraph suggests that an “under-class” could be created by people who have lost their jobs to machines.

However, roles that require creativity and knowledge will be safe in the future. The research indicates that people who earn less than £30,000 per year are more at risk of being replaced by a robot than people who are on £100,000 or more a year.

Among the high-risk jobs are office and administrative support, transportation, production, and sales and services. Angus Knowles-Cutler, a senior partner at Deloitte, said: “A widening gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ is also a risk as lower skill jobs continue to disappear.”

He said that since 2001, 65 per cent of librarian jobs in the UK have disappeared, and nearly 50 per cent of secretarial jobs.

Workers in industries such as the media, healthcare, financial services and law are less likely to be replaced by machines according to the report.