Rise of the Robots: Who Will Still Have a Job?

After more than 60 years in the cleaning industry, I want to open a discussion that I believe we can no longer afford to avoid.

Martin Ford’s Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future raises uncomfortable questions about employment and technological change. I want to bring those questions directly to our industry.

As robotics advances towards humanoid machines, are we preparing for the future—or keeping our heads in the sand?

I welcome disagreement, practical experience and ideas from everyone whose livelihood or business could be affected.

These are my questions to you

1. Are humanoid robots a credible threat to cleaning jobs—or is their potential being exaggerated?
2. Will robotics fill vacancies, or become a commercial reason to reduce existing staff?
3. If we say people will move into better jobs, where are those jobs—and who will fund the training?
4. Could building owners buy robotic services directly and bypass traditional cleaning contractors?
5. Will smaller cleaning businesses be able to compete with companies that own the technology?
6. Who should benefit from greater productivity: clients, workers, contractors or technology providers?
7. How will we independently establish whether robotic cleaning delivers the required standard of hygiene?
8. What should our industry be doing now to prepare for the next five years?

My concern is that we will invest in machines before we invest enough thought in the consequences.

Am I sounding an alarm too early—or are we already late?

The robots have manufacturers planning their future. Who is planning ours?

Tony Sibley
Hygiene Intelligence