By Stephen Breslin , CEO, Glasgow Science Centre
THROUGHOUT history humans have feared that new technology will lead to job destruction and as the sun rises on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where we will witness profound change in our working lives from the exponential advancement of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and robotics, that fear is back.
Acclaimed science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, said that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. And like magic, technology can both beguile and bewilder. Undoubtedly, there will be changes in the job market landscape, but if we each take responsibility for our own future and prepare the next generation, we have the opportunity to thrive.
The recent research paper from think tank, Cities Outlook, warned 230,000 jobs could be lost in Scotland by 2030 due to automation and advances in technology. While we will witness a pronounced shift in the job market the loss of roles in some sectors will be countered by the creation of new roles requiring different skill sets in other areas and I believe Scotland is well placed to succeed in this brave new world.
Scotland has a proud history of innovation and is home to eight ground-breaking innovation centres. These centres aim to help businesses increase the pace of innovation and, in turn, boost the Scottish economy. The Data Lab – an innovation centre which develops cutting edge data science – estimates there is £17 billion of new revenue opportunity within Scotland alone for new data solutions. The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, which aims to accelerate the development of commercially viable, sustainable solutions for manufacturing in chemistry using life science sectors is positioning Scotland as a key player in the bio-economy. The centre believes there will be 1,500 new jobs in the sector as well as the creation of more than 25 start-up businesses by 2020.
The Scottish Government has also made its position clear that it is focused on increasing innovation in the country. Last summer, proposals were outlined which would help the advanced manufacturing, energy and financial technology sectors, where additional support would be given to graduate entrepreneurs and to help companies to access finance. In addition, it was announced that research and development support from Scottish Government enterprise agencies was to increase almost 70 per cent – from £22 million to £37 million per year over three years.
New technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, advanced manufacturing, precision medicine and the “Internet of Things” will curate the employment narrative over the coming years; however, the constant flow of new digital tools won’t just reshape every aspect of the professional realm, it will transform our lives in the future. And we need to start preparing ourselves and the next generation for the opportunities, challenges, and specifically the new skills of innovation and creativity which will be needed if we are to prosper in this new technology driven world.
Our upcoming exhibition Idea #59, opening spring 2019, will work with Scotland’s innovation centres to bring together some of the most exciting research and development partners from academia and industry. The exhibition will demystify how technology will impact future generations and society, as well as inspiring the next generation to cultivate the skills they will need in the future. We aim to showcase the very best of Scottish innovation and develop a culture that inspires our young people to harness their full potential and play a key role in creating the future innovations that will transform our society.
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