Preparing for Automation The possibility of having robots or mechanical assistants completing our laborious, dangerous, or repetitive day-to-day tasks has long been a dream of humanity. Now, as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) becomes commonplace, this dream - or concern, depending on viewpoint - is getting closer. RPA, far from the walking, talking android commonly found in science fiction series, can be thought of as a programmable piece of software which, through using a series of rules, will complete repetitive tasks with a lower error rate and less interruption than a human completing the same tasks. The aim of RPA, beyond improving efficiency, is to free up humans from the monotony of roles like data entry, stock management and predictable physical work, to focus on more critical, unpredictable tasks such as decision making, interpreting, and delivering insight to customers. Ask any expert and you can almost guarantee that they will inform you that years of data reliably point to the conclusion that automation has always created more jobs than it has removed. The invention of the plough has allowed us to stop working on farms and technology has continued in this fashion, boosting productivity and, in turn, providing greater work satisfaction and improved living standards. It is currently estimated that 3% of roles could be entirely automated using the technology we have available to us now. By 2025 this will have risen to around 35%, by 2030 it will be at 50% and by 2080 scientists are predicting advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies will have replaced 85% of current jobs. A more astonishing figure is the 42% of roles which could be made more efficient, more productive, and more enjoyable through automating individual tasks within the wider role. This is not spread evenly across industries, however certain industries like Waste Management, an industry with a 40 billion salary bill in the UK, where many humans are currently paid hazard pay to do dangerous but repetitive tasks, is seen as the UK industry with the highest potential for automation. As we begin to enter this Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is becoming apparent that there is a separation of organisations into two clear groups: those who are using basic digitisation to support their business, and those who have re-examined the way they do business and integrated combinations of technologies, including RPA, to great effect. So, should we run for the hills or turn and embrace RPA? The answer is not clear but, looking at those who have benefitted from this technology already, preparation for automation will be key. "By 2080 scientists are predicting advanced artificial intelligence (Al) technologies will have replaced 85% of current jobs"