A systemic and strategic approach to robotization is needed in Poland, taking into account the position of the employee, so as not to lead to an increase in social polarization and political radicalization – according to a report by the Polish Economic Institute.
“The process of robotization in Poland and the desire to accelerate it must be treated systemically, i.e. the complexity of this phenomenon based on an interdisciplinary approach should be taken into account, which includes both economic issues, such as installation costs or robot efficiency, and other dimensions, such as the labor market, education, ergonomics, and social perception of the robotization process. At the same time, a strategic perspective is needed. First of all, a long-term goal of robotization should be defined, taking into account important dimensions of socio-economic life,” the PIE report states.
“Limiting the goal of the robotization process to its acceleration alone may have more negative than positive effects. It seems particularly important to emphasize the reduction in the share of labor in added value and the weakening of the position of employees, which could lead to increased social polarization and political radicalization. A long-term strategic planning horizon would also allow for robotization to be included in long-term public policy,” it added.
In the opinion of PIE, the national robotisation strategy could go beyond industrial robots and the industrial processing sector and also take into account areas such as agriculture, health care, infrastructure maintenance and development and national security.
See alsoHow artificial intelligence will affect the work of accountants
PIE calls for the establishment of a State Robotization Center, which would be a key element of the institutional background for conducting a coordinated, data-based and long-term policy supporting robotization. The center could play an advisory role for the government, support the legislative process through analyses and recommendations regarding regulations and support mechanisms for companies implementing robotization.
The institution could also act as an intermediary in creating partnerships between enterprises and research institutions, which would enable more effective development of innovative technologies and their implementation in the Polish economy. The institution could integrate and use the activities and knowledge of already operating public institutions, such as the Industrial Institute for Automation and Measurements Łukasiewicz, the National Center for Research and Development, the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, the Industrial Development Agency.
PIEL should create economic incentives
According to the PIE report, economic incentives should be created that would attract investments that are more technologically saturated.
“Currently, many foreign direct investments located in Poland take advantage of the relatively low labor costs. They focus on activities with limited technological complexity and relatively low added value. Such an investment model is not conducive to long-term productivity growth or building national competences in the field of advanced technologies. The recommendation assumes the introduction of investment incentive mechanisms in which public support (…) will be granted provided that certain technological criteria are met,” it was written.
PIE also calls for the establishment of a permanent forum for cooperation between public administration, the scientific community, business, social partners and civil society organisations – the Council for Economic Transformation, which would play a strategic and advisory role in identifying, analysing and responding to the effects of rapid technological changes on the labour market, business models and regulatory systems.
The report states that work is underway at PIE to prepare a publication that will present in more detail the idea and assumptions behind the functioning of the council for economic and technological transformation.
Robotization – the hardest first step
Another PIE recommendation is to create “robotization roadmaps” to provide entrepreneurs with an intuitive, integrated and industry-specific tool that makes it easier to understand, evaluate and initiate the robotization process in their company.
“This recommendation responds to the problem of information dispersion, low technological awareness and the lack of easily accessible, practical tips supporting the first steps in automation. The “Roadmap for Robotization” should be the first tool that an entrepreneur interested in the topic comes into contact with,” it was written.
The results of PIE’s research on robotization, as well as interviews with experts conducted while preparing the publication, indicate that one of the most difficult aspects of the process of enterprise robotization is the decision to install the first robot.
The possibility of testing the technology and consulting a professional advisor could, according to PIE, streamline and accelerate such a process. For this purpose, companies, especially SMEs, should have access to a voucher that would enable expert analysis of the potential of robotization in specific production processes, development of a feasibility study for implementing robots or their pilot implementations.
Another solution supporting robotization, according to PIE, would be to provide system integrators of robotic stations with access to low-interest working capital credit.
“Loans based on preferential interest rates due to the relatively short financing period (due to the duration of projects, e.g. up to 24 months) would not be a large burden on the state budget, and at the same time would facilitate the robotization process in Poland,” it was written.
Another proposal of the PIE is to introduce a permanent relief for robotization, which would create favorable conditions for enterprises to plan long-term investments in the automation of production processes.
“It seems desirable to change its nature to a degressive one, i.e. reducing the percentage level of deduction with the increase in investment. This would allow for greater support for SMEs and less for those enterprises that invest in the robotization process regardless of the existence of the relief. Lowering the investment barrier for SMEs should be the most important goal of the modified relief. This modification should take into account EU regulations on state aid,” it was written.
In the opinion of PIE, the development of robotics would also support the introduction of a public procurement system in this area.
“The public procurement policy related to robotization should contain four elements, i.e. be based on the recognition of national potential; be planned for a period of at least several years; concern selected, strategically important industries and elements of the economy; be associated with additional requirements on the recipients' side, which concern the employment and development of employees,” the report indicates.
Social awareness is necessary
PIE emphasises that public policy should be based on the sustainable implementation of technologies and combine technological progress and active participation of society in the entire process.
“Only in this way will it be possible to achieve long-term benefits in both the economic and social dimensions. At the same time, such an approach will democratize the robotization process and make it more transparent and acceptable to citizens. (…) This model would also promote better relations between employers and employees, reduce potential social tensions related to automation and increase acceptance of change. Additionally, greater flexibility in adapting to technological changes would allow for a faster response to changing market demand and needs,” it was written.
Robotization, intelligent automation, digitalization, or the use of artificial intelligence will lead to the displacement or displacement from the labor market of at least some of the employees who currently perform tasks that can be automated. This will also lead to significant changes in the employment structure.
Therefore, PIE calls for the introduction of the FUTURE continuing education programme in order to create a comprehensive support system for employees enabling them to adapt their skills to the dynamically changing requirements of the labour market in the face of the challenges related to technological change.
The FUTURE continuing education programme would be available via a special online platform, preferably embedded in a broader programme concerning not only robotisation itself, but also other technologies, or even be an element of the industrial strategy.
“The platform would include course offers, tests measuring skills, internship offers, the possibility of establishing contact with a career advisor and finally information on locally offered stationary courses and job offers. The platform would also integrate already available public tools, such as training materials available in the PFR Knowledge Zone, on the websites of the Future Industry Platform (currently PARP), the PARP Development Services Database and finally offers of digital competence training planned as part of the expenditure of funds from the KPO fund,” it was written.
From the expert and educational side, PIE proposes the creation of a doctoral study program in the field of robotics and automation.
At the same time, the Institute sees the need to strengthen vocational education in Poland, in particular its modernization, which should include not only the issues of offered courses, but also equipping schools with equipment adapted to the conditions and the issue of better cooperation with local enterprises in establishing the framework of the curriculum of taught courses. (PAP Biznes)
tus/ hot/
