A LONG TIRM LOOK AT AUTOMATION from Julian Atkinson (NALSO)
Three basic questions arise from the increasing importance of automation: (1) to what extent will automation effect the social structure; (2) how quickly will it spreads; and (3) how much upheaval will be caused by the consequent reorganisation and redevlopment of manpower. These factors must be understood by socialists if they are to work out a longterm industrial policy. Several technical journals, notably the New Scientist and Control Engineering, have recently examinod the question and their findings provide valuable referonce material for socialists,
Firstly, it must bo stressed that very littlo real automation has actually been put into oporation, In 1963 thore were only 340 digital computers in use, or firmly ordered, for the control of manufacturing processes, Of these, a big proportion were in the U.S. (237) and only 34 in Britain, ‘Yell ovor a third aro in uso to control the production and distribution of electricitye lietal fabrication and chomicals account for a large share of the remaindor, Computors for these pur poses are coming into commission at tho rate of about 3 a week. A loading American computing manufacturer forecast that by 1970 there would be 4,000 procoss-computers in oporation,.
Estimates vary as to whon it is expected that full-scale automat~ ion will be adopted by British industry. The New Scientist has given