Will Robots Replace Human Labor in Crop Production?
It’s undeniable that, over time, intelligent machines are gradually replacing human labor in many areas of production and service. The relentless advance of this future is evident in the development of modern technologies, allowing us to use smartphones, smart cars, drones, and other devices that would have seemed unimaginable just a decade ago. While it’s hard to say whether full automation of labor and production is the right path for technology, progress is certainly leading us in that direction.
Some experts believe that the mass replacement of human workers by machines across all sectors could result in chaos and the collapse of civilization. Others think that full automation will simply restructure the global economy, leaving millions without jobs or means of support. Of course, it’s likely that the rise of robotics will also affect the crop production industry, especially since some companies have already begun introducing machines into their operations.
Early Robots in the Industry
We’re not talking about artificial intelligence that controls every aspect of production and sales, but rather much simpler robots performing basic tasks. For example, Hardcar Security has started providing crop plantations with robotic security guards that patrol fields at night. The company’s CEO, Todd Kleperis, claims these machines are a much more reliable alternative to human guards. “A robot won’t fall asleep on the job, chat on the phone, or constantly check social media like a regular guard might. The robot will always follow its patrol route and won’t be harmed if armed robbers break into the plantation,” he told reporters.
Other companies, like Eaze—a well-known California-based delivery service—are experimenting with replacing their couriers with robots. Delivery drones have proven to be highly effective in this role. Although the company still needs to purchase an entire fleet of such machines and register them with federal authorities, it’s quite possible that by the end of this decade, these flying devices will be delivering packages to customers across the country on their own.
Trimmers: The First Victims of Robotization
Currently, the most basic and low-skilled job in the industry is that of the trimmer—someone who collects and cleans mature buds from plants. While this job is considered low-paying within the industry, the standard wage for a trimmer is several times higher than the average salary in the service sector. In fact, many legal states have seen a noticeable shift of workers from the restaurant business to the crop industry, simply because plantation work is easier and pays much better.
At present, many companies hire people with no experience for these positions, offering hourly wages between $12 and $22, along with benefits. Naturally, when people hear about these working conditions, many dishwashers and waiters don’t hesitate to leave their previous jobs. Unfortunately for unskilled workers, it’s quite possible that these positions will soon be fully taken over by machines.
Last year, Bloom Automation introduced a robot capable of cleaning buds in just a few minutes. While the company says their invention is primarily intended to increase productivity on commercial plantations, it’s clear that as these robots are gradually introduced, they could replace human trimmers. However, despite their speed, machines still lag behind the dexterity of experienced trimmers. Where a machine can clean a pound of buds, a skilled worker can process several hundred grams more. For this reason, trimmers don’t need to worry about their jobs—at least until the industry begins to widely adopt such machines.
Replacing Store Employees
In this area, self-checkout technology—which is already being tested in several American stores—could replace human workers. In other words, in addition to plant production workers, retail employees in crop stores may also be at risk of layoffs due to automation.
Besides self-checkout kiosks, the U.S. is also testing the sale of crop products and extracts through specialized vending machines. Currently, such machines can be found in Colorado and California. Some of these devices are even connected to centralized databases that track every legally produced plant on the regional market and require buyers to show ID before making a purchase. The number of these machines is likely to grow as legalization spreads to new regions.
Of course, it’s important to note that robots can’t replace the effect of live human interaction or the expertise of some consultants, who proudly bear the title of “crop sommelier.” While machines may reduce the number of employees in stores, it’s unlikely they’ll completely replace all human salespeople.
What Does the Future Hold?
Despite some pessimistic forecasts, it’s important to remember that full robotization of labor in the crop industry is still a long way off. Even if robot manufacturers make their machines as efficient and affordable as possible, many businesses—especially small companies and plantations—are unlikely to replace their loyal employees with faceless machines.
For example, self-checkout technology has existed for nearly 20 years, but it hasn’t replaced cashiers entirely. Even large companies continue to employ human staff despite technological advances. However, it’s possible that giant corporations will be the first to fully automate their businesses to reduce labor costs.
Finally, we shouldn’t forget that people have many skills and talents that machines simply can’t replicate. Unlike a master who loves their work and is motivated by the success of their team, a robot will simply perform the task it’s given, which can be a counterproductive replacement in terms of improving workplace efficiency. If machines do replace humans, it will only be in positions that require simple, mechanical actions that don’t need special skills or qualifications.
Some experts in artificial intelligence, such as Dr. Subhash Kak of Oklahoma State University, seriously believe that replacing human labor with machines will lead our species into a bleak and miserable future. “Mass robotization will quickly create a huge number of unemployed and impoverished people, who will be willing to do anything to survive in the resulting chaos,” he predicts. “In addition, many people who lose their careers will also lose their sense of purpose and connection to society. It’s possible that millions of newly unemployed people will turn to hedonism, unmotivated aggression, and both passive and active impulses toward self-destruction.”
Despite such grim predictions, many other experts believe that while replacing workers with machines will cause economic upheaval and changes in the global structure of production and trade, robots are unlikely to cause the collapse of civilization. After all, even the most advanced machine is just a mechanical device, and dissatisfied people could simply break them to regain their source of income.
Edited by: Il0