The relationship of new technologies with employment: Accountancy profession example

There are two opposing views on the impact of technology on unemployment. According to some economists, developing technologies negatively affect the workforce and cause unemployment. Despite this view, some economists argue that new technologies do not create unemployment and, on the contrary, cut unemployment (Georgiou, 2009:1-12). The effects of industrial revolutions throughout history in the field of labor and employment are very evident. Especially with the third industrial revolution, with the introduction of automation into production, the views that unemployment will arise and machines will replace people have increased. Along with these views, there are also opinions that new business lines will be created and technology will open employment areas on the contrary. However, when these two arguments are taken into consideration, it has been seen that technology did not significantly create unemployment during the third industrial revolution. Machines have not completely replaced humans. The fourth industrial revolution, on the other hand, will enable robots to enter the production life. In this case, the discussions focus on the fact that robots will replace humans and unemployment will be at its peak. Opposing views argue that robots will make production faster and more efficient, and that new technologies will open new business lines and create employment. As a matter of fact, we also see that robots are gradually entering employment. At the same time, these developing technologies have brought a new breath by significantly affecting the functioning of the accounting profession. In this study, the relationship between developing technologies and employment and the accounting profession are evaluated. The contribution of artificial intelligence to the workforce has been discussed. It is aimed to contribute to the literature by evaluating the effects of industrial revolutions, especially Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0 and new technologies on the accounting profession and employment. First of all, industrial revolutions, unemployment, internet of things, 3D printers, accounting and accounting related concepts, industrial revolution are explained conceptually. Then, in the light of the discussions we mentioned, the relationship of new technologies with employment and their effects on the accounting profession were evaluated.