Many have debated about the role technology will serve in the future.

This is nothing new. We can trace similar fears as far back as 1811 when England’s Luddites  smashed their machines in cotton and woolen mills, afraid that technology would eliminate their jobs. But Kevin Binfield, editor of the 2004 collection “Writings of the Luddites,” says there’s more to the story.

According to Binfield, “The Luddites themselves were totally fine with machines. They confined their attacks to manufacturers who used machines in what they called a fraudulent and deceitful manner to get around standard labor practices. They just wanted machines that made high-quality goods, and they wanted these machines to be run by workers who had gone through an apprenticeship and got paid decent wages.”

Today, many Americans worry about advanced technological capabilities and their potential impact on jobs. Certainly, technology has allowed for increases in productivity, which are generally associated with increases in the standard of living.

In his book “Rise of the Robots,” Martin Ford poses a different perspective: “It is an era that will be defined by a fundamental shift in the relationship between workers and machines. That shift will ultimately challenge one of our most basic assumptions about technology: that machines are tools that increase the productivity of workers. Instead, machines themselves are turning into workers, and the line between the capability of labor and capital is blurring as never before.” Later in the book, Ford points out that technology now allows for outsourcing tasks and jobs on a global basis—and that includes white-collar jobs, not just those in manufacturing.

What are the implications for independent insurance agents? First, agents need to harness what technology provides to become more efficient, whether that involves marketing, operations or client service. Keep in mind, you can outsource many traditional functions like policy reviews.

Second, agents need to evolve, especially since the consumer is in charge and dictates how and when they want to interact with their agent.

Third, agents need to focus on developing personal relationships with their clients. This is more time consuming, but increasingly critical. Independent agents should leverage technology whenever possible to free up time for them to spend with their clients, and be sure to keep up with evolving capabilities by using resources like the Agents Council for Technology.

The outlook for technology means that agents will need to adapt in order to meet their clients’ needs in a way that technology will never be able to replicate.

Dave Evans is a certified financial planner and an IA contributor.