Final answer:
The potential consequence of increased automation according to "Heads Up, Humans" is cybersecurity threats, aligning with industry leaders' concerns regarding cybercrime, job loss, and the undermining of essential human skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the technological perspective in "Heads Up, Humans," a potential consequence of increased automation is cybersecurity threats. This perspective reflects the concerns shared by industry leaders, as noted in a Pew Research Center survey, about the risks associated with our growing digital dependency. These worries include exposure to cybercrime and cyberwarfare, infringement of privacy, and the misuse of data, as well as more societal impacts such as the potential job loss due to automation.
The fear is that automation, while capable of enhancing job opportunities and accelerating technological innovation, also poses a significant risk of cybersecurity threats due to its reliance on interconnected digital systems that could be exploited. Furthermore, there's a concern that reliance on artificial intelligence might lead to a diminished set of technical, cognitive, and social skills necessary for human survival. The automation of routine jobs, such as bookkeeping and clerical tasks, exemplifies this potential displacement in the job market.