A new report entitled “A future that works: Automation, employment, and productivity” published recently by the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company assessed the technical automation potential of the global economy. Based on 2017 data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the authors (Manyika et al.) estimated the technical automation potential of more than 2,000 work activities in more than 800 occupations. In summary:
- Activities with highest automation potential are: predictable physical activities (81%), data processing (69%), and data collection (64%).
- While few occupations can be automated entirely (<5%), about 60% of all occupations have at least 30% of activities that could be automated.
- Automation potential in the U.S. is 46% (China is 51%, India is 52%).
- Automation potential in agriculture ranks at 58%, based on type of activity: management (<10%), expertise and inter–face (20 – 30%), unpredictable physical activities (40 – 50%), data processing (70 – 80%), data collection and predictable physical activities (80 – 90%).
Milking cows is a predictable physical task that can be automated. The work is intensive, with employees working almost 24/7, every day of the year. This, coupled with the challenge of finding a qualified workforce, makes the milking center one of the most difficult areas to manage. Plus, communication and cultural barriers can complicate the relationship between dairy owners, managers and employees.
Continue reading this article published in Milk.
