From the inception of the industrial revolution, the topic "Automation" has been at the heart of hot discussions and debates all over the globe. Automation has remained a critical yet controversial topic of debate among Industrialists, economists, and the working class alike. It is because of the fact that it stands out as a double-edged sword in our economy. The significant improvements it could bring about by cutting down the production time while increasing the quantity and all the while assuring the quality of the products is undeniable. It can elevate the profit margins substantially. At the same time, the potential concerns that might follow seek our attention too, the major concern being the reduced employment opportunities in certain industries.

Still, over these years Automation has seen an evident boom in the industrial sector. Most of the developed countries like Singapore, Japan, Germany, the US, Taiwan, China, and more have unanimously embraced the scope of automating their industries, large-scale manufacturing, and assembly units, storage facilities, office spaces, etc. All of this shows the predominance of the benefits of Automation over its potential ill effects.

The underlying reasons for the wider adoption of automation techniques in industries are higher output and enhanced productivity. Automation guarantees better profit if it is put to use effectively. It can improve production rates, product quality, and productivity. Automation reduces work safety concerns, shortens overall factory lead times, and minimizes human errors and inefficient use of materials thereby cutting down the amount of scrap.

Though arguably humans possess better craftsmanship, when it comes down to large-scale manufacturing automated machines can beat us hands down because of the lesser variability and higher precision with which they can perform the manufacturing processes. Better performance consistency along with great control makes it easier for automated systems to yield better quality products in less time. This contributes notably to the profit margins of the industries and hence aids economic growth.

A vital influence of automating industrial operations would be the improved safety of the laborers. Complex manufacturing and assembly operations might demand the workers to be present in harsh working environments with high temperatures, dust, or smoke for prolonged durations. This might adversely affect the health of the laborers. So automating such industrial operations will reduce the work hours of the employees or can even entirely replace human labor.

Now addressing the elephant in the room, the possible reduction of the human workforce in specific industrial sectors. This is going to affect a small section of employees sticking to unskilled labor jobs, who finds it hard to adapt or learn to do other jobs which require more training. Also, this might lead workers to relocate in search of new jobs. But on the flip side, the advent of new machines, robots, and automation systems also creates more employment opportunities in the development, manufacturing, and maintenance of such machines and systems.

The high capital expenditure required for implementing the automation system could also be considered as its con. But the point to be noted here is if we are to make use of it judiciously and effectively over time, it will easily return the invested capital within a couple of years. It is all about how efficiently it is being put to use.

So, if we keep aside the concerns and focus on the upside (provided we effectively utilize automation possibilities) it is going to bring about a very visible change in the manufacturing sector, human work environments alleviating humans from boring repetitive, or potentially dangerous jobs and it can provide a better quality of utilities and a better quality of living.