Japan has been at the forefront of embracing robotics but will the ever-evolving android eventually replace the role of a person?

President Obama had a friendly kick-off in Japan earlier in 2015. Except he didn’t face off against Keisuke Honda, but a diminutive 55-inch humanoid robot.

Welcome to the age of robotics and artificial intelligence. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Japan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe famously declared he wants a “Robot Olympics” when Japan hosts the Olympics in 2020 – envisioning all the robots coming together on the world stage to compete in technical skills. With the rising popularity of robotics and automated systems in Japan, its human workforce appears seemingly on the way to obsolescence.

In reality, there are more opportunities than ever with the expansion of the robotics industry.

The robotics industry’s projected US$100 billion in growth by 2020 is an indication of where the money is, and what could be used to further train employees to better handle robotics and enhance their performance.

For every new automation system, a new skill-set is required to monitor and improve the process. The focus lies with software coding and engineering skills or even outreach programs to educate automation use. People can be assured that robots don’t replace human jobs, and are in fact, free to arm themselves with the essential knowledge and skills to be the masters of tech. If you want professional advice on the skills required in the industry, submit your CV and keep in touch with our consultants.

Through years of successes and failures, humans are still the key to technological evolution. They learn from their mistakes, rebuild and improve themselves and bring energy and enthusiasm to jobs they love, instead of chugging on like a machine based on a set of instructions.

The professional services industry, in particular, is where the human touch is still of essence and is not able to be replaced by robots. Unlike automated systems that ignore the world and happily go about their chores, front-facing jobs in the professional services industry still require personal interaction.

No amount of drones or automated systems can replace the essential human element that connects people. Take sharing a laugh and having meaningful conversations with your colleagues. And then, try that with an android. It’s almost human, but not quite. It’ll never provide the experience that’ll warm your heart when you need a pat on the back.

Make your days count when you love what you do.