Elon Musk made headlines recently. He claimed that robots will outperform the best surgeons within five years. But is that realistic?

Rocky Scopelitti, futurologist and tech expert, isn’t convinced. “The feedback Elon received is very accurate,” he said. “Robotics are there to aid and assist, not to replace.”

Robots in the Operating Room

Yes, robots are already helping in surgeries. But they’re not doing it alone.

“They’re supporting surgeons behind the scenes,” Rocky explained. “For example, robotic limbs have helped people walk or hold objects again. That’s remarkable.”

In rural or remote areas, robotic tools can also help provide quality healthcare. “The technology gives access where there might not be specialists,” he added.

Robotics Beyond Medicine

Medicine isn’t the only field embracing robots. Industry is moving even faster. “In 2022–23, China deployed over 276,000 industrial robots,” Rocky shared. “That was more than half of the global total.”

Other countries like the US, Germany, South Korea, and Japan are also heavily invested in robotics. “We even saw the world’s first robot marathon recently,” he said. “Robots ran alongside humans.”

Will Robots Replace Jobs?

It’s a common concern. But Rocky says it’s not that simple. “History shows automation can replace repetitive tasks,” he said. “But it also creates new jobs.”

We’ll need more robotic engineers, technicians, and even AI ethicists. “Human creativity still has a huge role to play,” Rocky noted.

Is Australia Keeping Up?

Surprisingly, yes. Australia is actually leading in some areas.

“In Western Australia, the mining industry uses autonomous trucks and drones,” Rocky said. “It improves safety and efficiency.”

Agriculture is changing too. Robots are handling spraying and weeding. In construction, 3D printing is being used to build homes.

Australia even launched its first national robotics strategy in 2024. “It’s about boosting productivity and creating high-tech jobs,” Rocky said.

Robots in the Home?

What about personal robots that cook, clean, or fold laundry?

“We’re not quite there yet,” Rocky said. “There’s still skepticism. Hollywood has shaped how we view robots sometimes with fear.”

But the interest is growing. “Australians have always been enthusiastic adopters of tech,” he added. “We’ll likely see more robots in homes soon. I just want one to hang the washing!”

What About AI in Robots?

As robots become smarter, concerns grow, especially about ethics and safety.

“How do we know an autonomous vehicle will make the right decision in a crisis?” Rocky asked. “We need strong regulations before these machines fully enter shared spaces.”

He stressed the need for safety laws to keep up with innovation. “We shouldn’t be worried, but we should be alert,” he warned.

Final Thought

Robots are changing how we live and work. But they’re not here to take over, they’re here to help. As Rocky put it, “It’s an exciting future. But we need to shape it wisely.”

Listen to the full conversation below.