A startup, Telexistence, has deployed AI robots in Japan’s convenience stores, controlled remotely by about 60 workers in Manila, capitalizing on Japan’s labor shortage due to an aging population. The tele-operators handle issues when robots malfunction, offering a cost-effective solution for companies while employing tech-savvy Filipinos. However, this reliance on automation raises concerns about job security and the psychological effects of monitoring robots. Despite the growth of automation, Filipinos may face low wages compared to international counterparts, and as they help develop AI technology, there are fears the very tools they create could replace them. Many Filipino workers are drawn to better pay from international firms, but some prioritize local opportunities to foster domestic growth in the tech industry.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote Operation of AI Robots | Young professionals in Manila remotely operate AI robots in Japan’s stores. | Shift from in-person labor in retail to remote control of robots. | Remote control jobs may become a norm globally in various sectors. | Worker shortages and high costs of labor drive automation and remote solutions. | 4 |
| Displacement of Workers by AI and Robotics | Filipino workers manage robots yet worry about losing jobs to automation. | Transition from direct employment to overseeing robots, risking job security. | Increased reliance on automation may reduce entry-level job availability. | The rising cost of labor and demand for cheaper operational solutions. | 5 |
| Emerging AI Workforce in the Philippines | Growth of IT roles for Filipinos despite global layoffs in tech sectors. | Shift from traditional roles to specialized AI-related positions. | Philippines may become a hub for tech roles requiring high skills. | Global demand for skilled tech workers in AI and automation is rising. | 5 |
| Health Risks from Remote Robot Management | Tele-operators experience cybersickness from prolonged VR use. | Adapting to new work conditions introduces potential health issues. | Job roles may evolve to address mental and physical health concerns. | The necessity of VR technology in robot operations influences worker well-being. | 3 |
| Global Offshoring of AI-Related Jobs | Filipino tech workers are often employed by foreign firms for fewer benefits. | Trend of outsourcing skilled jobs to cost-effective labor markets. | Offshoring might lead to job insecurity among tech workers in developing nations. | Companies prioritize lower operational costs while seeking talent. | 4 |
| Hybrid Workforce Development | Emergence of human-robot collaborative work environments in the Philippines. | Transition from human-only jobs to a cooperative model with machines. | Workplace dynamics may shift toward deeper integration of AI in daily tasks. | The evolution of technology and employment necessitates new skills and roles. | 4 |
| Technological Sovereignty vs. Global Competition | Filipino engineers aim to build local tech capabilities despite foreign offers. | Focus on local talent development rather than solely servicing foreign entities. | Potential emergence of a strong local tech industry resisting brain drain. | Desire for national growth and recognition in the global tech market. | 4 |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Job displacement due to automation | The increasing reliance on AI and robotics could lead to significant job losses for workers, especially in developing regions like the Philippines. |
| Mental health issues from job pressures | Tele-operators face immense pressure, leading to anxiety and stress, exacerbated by VR use and job uncertainty. |
| Exploitation of labor in outsourcing | Filipino workers may be exploited as cheap labor for foreign firms, receiving lower wages and fewer benefits than their counterparts. |
| Skill obsolescence | Workers’ skills could become obsolete as AI technology rapidly evolves, leading to further job insecurity. |
| Health risks associated with VR work | The use of VR headsets for monitoring tasks can cause cybersickness and related health issues for tele-operators. |
| Inequality in the labor market | Technological advancements may widen the gap between skilled and unskilled labor, leading to increased economic inequality. |
| Loss of human value in the workplace | As workers become operators of machines, there is a risk of diminishing self-worth and job satisfaction. |
| Dependence on foreign firms | Filipino tech workers may become overly dependent on foreign companies for employment, limiting local growth. |
| Automation’s impact on developing economies | Rapid automation in developing countries could hinder economic growth and stability, increasing reliance on international markets. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Remote Robot Operation | Young workers in the Philippines remotely monitor and control AI robots in Japan, utilizing virtual reality and joysticks for task completion. |
| Recruitment of Tech-Savvy Workforce | Companies are hiring young, tech-savvy individuals in the Philippines to operate robots due to lower labor costs and skill availability. |
| Cyborg-like Teleoperation | Workers combine human skills with robotic capabilities, assuming roles where they assist and supervise automation processes. |
| Cyberphysical Work Environment | Tele-operators experience physical symptoms, such as cybersickness, from extensive VR usage in monitoring robotic tasks. |
| Job Security Concerns in Automation | Despite demand for skilled workers, fears grow over job security as automation advances and roles may be rendered obsolete. |
| Offshoring and Automation Convergence | The merging of offshoring work and automation leads to increased global competition for low-wage labor. |
| Development of AI Agents | Filipino workers contribute to building AI technologies while being concerned about being replaced by the systems they create. |
| Hybrid Workforce Dynamics | The integration of humans with robotic-AI systems creates a hybrid work environment where human roles evolve rather than disappear. |
| Global Talent Competition | International firms fight to recruit skilled Filipino IT workers while still compensating them less than local rates in developed countries. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Remote Monitoring of AI Robots | Filipino operators in Manila remotely control AI robots restocking stores in Japan, addressing labor shortages and reducing costs. |
| Teleoperation with Virtual Reality | Operators use VR headsets and joysticks for teleoperation, assisting bots in tasks like restocking shelves and handling errors. |
| Autonomous Robotics | AI robots performing tasks like restocking shelves autonomously, designed to handle manual labor shortages in Japan. |
| AI Agents | Software programs enabling automation of tasks, set to grow significantly in market size, enhancing operational efficiency. |
| Human-Robot Collaboration | Workers alongside robotic systems to enhance productivity while managing complex tasks that machines struggle with. |
| AI Models for Physical Intelligence | Developing AI that mimics human-like physical tasks such as grasping and manipulating objects through data from teleoperation. |
| Outsourcing of Automated Roles | Shift of tech jobs to countries like the Philippines, where costs are lower, while leveraging local tech expertise. |
| name | description |
|---|---|
| Offshoring and Automation of Labor | The shift of physical labor jobs abroad due to automation and worker shortages in developed countries, impacting local employment dynamics. |
| Cybersickness in Remote Operations | The health impact of VR technology on tele-operators, highlighting issues related to prolonged usage and its effects on well-being. |
| Job Displacement through Automation | Concerns about skilled workers being replaced by machines despite the rise of new tech jobs in developing countries, impacting job security. |
| Economic Inequality in Tech Employment | The disparity in pay and job security for tech workers in developing countries working for foreign companies compared to their counterparts in developed nations. |
| Dependency on AI Development | Workers in developing nations are building AI systems that may endanger their own job stability, raising ethical concerns about labor practices. |
| Mental Health Strain from Automation Control | The psychological effects on workers managing automated systems, stemming from increased job pressures and uncertainties about future employment. |
| Global Competition in Tech Industries | Emerging competition for skilled IT labor in developing countries which may perpetuate a ‘race to the bottom’ for wages and job conditions. |