Automation in the US industry is creating new jobs - even in the automotive sector.

Automation does not mean job losses - data confirms a different picture.

Growth in the number industrial robots in the USA was not accompanied by a decline in employment, as one might think. In 2016, the automotive sector installed a record approximately 17,500 robots - according to data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). This was not a one-time investment, but part of a long-term trend: over seven years from 2010, the number of installed robots increased by approximately 52,000 units. During the same period, the number of employees in the automotive sector increased by 260,600, which is confirmed by data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This is not a coincidence. Research shows that automation contributes to the growth of production competitiveness in the USA, enabling the maintenance of production within the country and even the return of production from abroad. In this context, robots are not "enemies" of employees, but a tool supporting the development of companies - especially small and medium-sized ones.

Small businesses cannot back down - automation is a condition for survival.

For many small businesses in the USA, automation is not an option, but a necessity. Professor Howie Choset from the Advanced Robotics Manufacturing Institute emphasized: "Small businesses - these are their words, not mine - either automate or they disappear." In the USA, most industrial companies have fewer than 500 employees. For them, global competition means that without automation, it is difficult to maintain a position in the market.

An example is a company from Detroit - it closed in 2007 and was acquired in 2010. Thanks to investments in industrial robots, it now has over 200 employees. This is not only an increase in employment but also a restoration of operations to a level that would have been impossible without automation. Small companies cannot back down - their survival depends on the ability to adapt quickly.

New jobs appear where they need to be created.

Amazon confirms that automation does not mean a reduction in employment. Jon Battles, Director of Advanced Technology at Amazon, emphasized: "We plan to create 100,000 new full-time jobs in the US - even though we have already installed 45,000 robotic systems." This is not just a declaration but also proof that technology can be a strong driver of labor market growth.

It is important to understand that new jobs are not the same as previous ones. They require different skills - from operating robots to analyzing data. Therefore, education and training are key elements. As Battles emphasized: "We are approaching a shortage of workers because 8 million people from the baby boomer generation are leaving the labor market. We must inspire the younger generation, train existing employees, and create real career prospects in the technology industry."

Automation without education is just a meaningless tool.

Without proper education and training, automation will not bring benefits. The IFR emphasizes that educational systems must adapt to new realities - both the public and private sectors have a shared responsibility for preparing employees for the future.

This is not only a matter of technology. It is a matter of social strategy. When a company invests in robots but does not train people to work with them, the investment may not pay off. On the other hand, when a company invests in people and technology at the same time, it achieves maximum effect. Automation is not an opponent of man, but his partner - provided that the person is properly prepared.

Automation is not a one-time investment, but an ongoing process of adaptation. For companies that want to remain competitive in the global market, new technologies are not only a tool for efficiency, but also a condition for survival. In the case of small and medium-sized enterprises, which constitute the majority of the industrial sector in the USA, lack of access to modern solutions means the risk of disappearing from the market. Therefore, investments in robotics are not only technological - they are strategic. Modern production requires rapid response to changes in demand, flexibility of production lines, and minimization of human errors.

Industrial robots make it possible to achieve these goals while creating new types of employment - from system programmers to maintenance specialists. However, the key element of success is not only technology, but also human capital: without proper education and training, investments in automation may not pay off. Therefore, joint actions of the government, educational institutions and the private sector are necessary to ensure that future generations have the appropriate skills. Automation does not replace humans - on the contrary, when supported by a correct personnel policy.