What hope for jobs in the future? Which professions are likely to survive an era when robots and artificial intelligence will be taking over so many tasks?
The jobs of doctors, accountants, some engineers and even teachers are under threat from robotisation. Robots will diagnose your maladies. Robots will do your accounts. Robots will measure, build and construct in all areas of manufacturing. And robots are even now teaching languages online. Sometimes we’re communicating with a robot without even knowing it.
It’s estimated that 47 per cent of all current employment will be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) over the next two decades.
And yet there remain areas of employment where only a human can do the job. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has published a list of 30 occupations that will grow and expand over the next decade. Most of these are “hands-on” professions where the unique ministrations of a human being remain irreplaceable.
Although doctor-robots can diagnose illnesses – a robot already exists that can diagnose cancer faster than a human doctor – we will always need the human interaction of a real doctor (and, even more, a real nurse). Nursing, according to the American predictions, is one of the professions that will survive robotisation.
Therapists, healthcare workers and special needs teachers will always be in demand. Caring for the elderly will remain a vital job. Many creative jobs will also survive. And, although the futurologists don’t specifically predict this, I would suggest that the pastoral profession of the clergy will never be supplanted by a robot.
A priest who leads in holiness; a priest who attends to the pastoral needs of the community; a priest who can counsel and advise and is dedicated to the sacraments; a priest who is a chaplain in prison or hospital – this is surely an irreplaceable calling.
Yes, we hear a lot about the shortage of younger priests. But paradoxically the technological revolution that will wipe out so many skilled and unskilled jobs will leave untouched the priestly role and the pastoral vocation.
…………..
I’m disappointed with Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron after he reneged on his former Christian principles over the abortion issue. Some years ago he said he believed abortion was “morally wrong at any time”. But in a recent election interview, he backtracked: he had changed his mind on this issue and he was now “pro-choice”.
Yes, people do change their minds on issues. I’ve changed my mind plenty of times, and I even have a tattoo with John Henry Newman’s words: “To live is to change.”
But the political commentators seem to conclude – in harmony with Ann Widdecombe last week – that Mr Farron has decided to obey the spin doctor’s line on what is politically correct, rather than having genuinely changed his mind. He also said he changed his mind over the issue of homosexuality.
He could have addressed the gay question as Pope Francis did: “Who am I to judge?” That is straight out of the Gospel, and entirely appropriate for an Evangelical Christian like Tim Farron.
He could have answered the abortion question by referring to Martin Luther’s position on personal conscience: “Here I stand. I can do no other.”
But even leaving aside personal conscience, I don’t think his public recantations will have done Mr Farron much good politically. The situation just makes him look weak and conformist – a poor profile for the leader of a party that once valued the Nonconformist conscience.
The global media were fascinated by the wedding of Pippa Middleton to James Matthews. The Italian media, in particular, paid great attention to the picture-postcard setting of St Mark’s Church in Berkshire. No secularist location can compete with this Constable-like image.
The ceremonial had all the trimmings of Anglican Church nuptials. Winchester Cathedral choir supplied the hymns: Be Thou My Vision; Tell Out, My Soul; Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken and I Vow to Thee, My Country. The readings included “Love is an Adventure” by Teilhard de Chardin and the Song of Solomon, as well as a passage from a Paulo Coelho novel, The Alchemist.
And the whole day probably only cost about a million quid, all in all!
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.