As technology and automation continue to grow exponentially, it is highly likely that the cost of these technologies will decrease over time, making them more accessible to businesses of all sizes. The adoption of automation and AI is expected to lead to increased productivity, efficiency, and scalability, which ultimately drives down the costs of implementing these solutions. This trend could also make automation tools more affordable for small businesses, which in turn, could create a broader range of job opportunities in tech and automation support roles.
However, while technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, some workers in supply chains may be impacted first, especially those in roles that are repetitive or involve tasks easily automated. Here’s a breakdown of which workers are likely to be affected:
1. Warehouse and Logistics Workers
- Automation and robotics have already made significant inroads in warehouses and fulfillment centers. Robots for picking, sorting, and packing goods, as well as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for moving inventory, are becoming more cost-effective and efficient. This could significantly reduce the demand for manual labor in these roles, such as pickers, packers, and forklift operators.
2. Delivery Drivers
- With the rise of self-driving vehicles and drones, the logistics sector may see a shift away from human drivers. Although full automation in the transportation industry is not fully realized, innovations in autonomous trucks, delivery drones, and last-mile solutions are pushing the industry closer to a more automated future. This could lead to a reduction in the demand for delivery drivers, particularly in certain areas where automation is more feasible.
3. Customer Service and Administrative Roles
- Chatbots, AI-driven help desks, and automated ticketing systems are increasingly handling customer queries, order management, and returns processing. In supply chains, this could lead to a reduction in the need for customer service representatives and administrative roles that traditionally handled paperwork, scheduling, and issue resolution.
4. Inventory Managers and Clerks
- Automation in inventory management using AI and machine learning allows businesses to better forecast demand, manage stock levels, and streamline ordering processes. This could reduce the need for manual tracking, updating, and oversight of inventory levels, potentially impacting inventory clerks and managers who previously did these tasks manually.
5. Procurement and Purchasing Staff
- Automated procurement systems that use AI to analyze market trends, predict demand, and negotiate prices are becoming more widespread. These technologies can streamline the purchasing process, reducing the need for human procurement agents who traditionally handled vendor negotiations and inventory purchases.
6. Data Entry and Processing Workers
- With the growing sophistication of AI-powered systems that can handle large amounts of data, roles focused on manual data entry and processing will likely be among the first to see a significant impact. Automated systems can extract, classify, and input data into business systems more accurately and quickly than humans.
Industries and Roles Likely to See Expansion:
While some roles will be displaced, others will grow as a result of automation:
- AI and Automation Maintenance Technicians: As automation tools become more widespread, there will be an increased demand for people who can install, maintain, and troubleshoot these systems.
- Data Analysts and AI Specialists: As AI and automation technologies take over routine tasks, the need for experts who can interpret data, optimize automated processes, and drive innovation will increase.
- Supply Chain Analysts: With more automation, there will be a need for specialists who can interpret and optimize supply chain processes, analyzing the data collected by automated systems.
In summary, while automation will likely reduce the cost of implementation over time, it will also disrupt certain job roles in the supply chain. Warehouse workers, drivers, and clerical staff will likely face the greatest impact, while the demand for roles in AI maintenance, data analysis, and optimization will likely increase. The key to navigating this shift will be investing in retraining and reskilling workers for more tech-centric roles within the supply chain ecosystem.
