Will you lose your job to a robot?

As technology, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) progresses, Aussies are becoming increasingly concerned about the security of their job.

So should they really be worried?

Fifty-two per cent of Australians ‘definitely’ think their job will be affected, according to recruiting experts Hays.

In the online poll of 2,706 people, a further 27 per cent said that ‘maybe’ their job will be affected. The final 21 per cent do not believe their job will be affected at all.

Also read: 12 businesses you can start for under $100

So is AI and automation your friend or foe? The answer, says Hays, depends on your willingness to adapt your skills.

“Automation and artificial intelligence has already begun to impact a diverse range of workplaces and jobs, from automated self-service checkouts in retail stores to assembly lines in manufacturing plants,” says Nick Deligiannis, Managing Director of Hays in Australia & New Zealand.

“But with automation and AI replacing or taking over manual and repetitive tasks, this will leave employees free to focus on the non-routine and more advanced aspects of their job.

“There’s also the possibility that robots and AI could be used as another tool to help us do our job better, rather than replace us. In this context, automation could be viewed as an enabler, helping us to be more efficient.”

Of course this makes continuous up-skilling key to remaining relevant in the job market of the future. But Nick warns that it’s not only technical or hard skills you’ll need to focus on.

“When we look at the skills automation is taking over, they are usually hard or technical skills. Soft skills are a lot more difficult to automate or outsource,” says Nick.

Also read: 4 easy ways to make more money in 2016

“So it is soft skills that will add to your value in the years ahead. This includes communication, team work, adaptability, creative thinking and relationship building skills.

“With employers already looking closely at candidates’ soft skills, it seems the value of the human touch is growing even greater in an automated world of work,” said Nick.

The poll was conducted on hays.com.au between June and August 2016.

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.