If you’re on the fence about whether or not you should further automate your working life, why not take apart some of the more common issues to see what you’re left with?
It’s human nature that as soon as something becomes popular or widely used, two camps will form. One that believes it’s the future and everyone should jump on the bandwagon and one that believes too many people are falling for the hype and aren’t really considering the potential pitfalls.
Both schools of thought, while having merit, are inaccurate, as the real truth, as with most issues, exists somewhere in the middle. If you are querying whether an automated working day is right for you, it can be helpful to disavow yourself of the more common misconceptions, positive and negative, so you can make the right decisions.
Automation will replace us all
A big fear is that automated technologies, specifically AI, are going to take the place of real people, reducing and even eliminating roles. While there is the potential for advanced systems to alter the way we work and even take control of certain aspects of a job that don’t need constant human oversight, it’s fair to say that the fears are often blown out of proportion.
There is, however, an opportunity for professionals to upskill with the automated workforce in mind. Those who are concerned for the longevity of their careers should look into ways that automation can enhance and even promote their abilities, so AI is an asset and aid, not a replacement for a person.
In fact, AI and automation has and will continue to create new jobs, in areas such as engineering, testing and security. So, while automation might change working life and certain elements of a role, it also presents professionals with career opportunities and chances to upskill in new and niche areas.
The robots know best
Another misconception is that AI is omnipotent and all knowing, but the reality is entirely different. While AI has access to an almost limitless bank of information and can pull on that data in a fraction of a second, in a way that a human never could, the accuracy of that information should always be queried. Part of the reason why automated systems could never replace a human being is because they require governance and oversight. Often because the models used to educate these systems are themselves based only on what the creator thought to use.
Bias and inaccuracy are always going to be issues when it comes to automated systems, therefore you should never assume that the information it has compiled is infallible. And humans should always double check any data cultivated by AI.
Automation is not for SMEs
Many people are of the opinion that automation is only possible for large organisations, but small- and medium-sized companies can also benefit from scaling these technologies.
While organisations will have to set aside resources to ensure proper implementation, companies can collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that expectations are clear and reasonable during the transition.
Automation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Companies can find the perfect system that suits their organisation and meets their needs, while also offering the workforce opportunities to expand their skills and work with new and interesting technologies. The key is to do the research and discover what you need, without comparing yourself to differently skilled workforces or larger companies.
Automation weakens skill
There is the belief that, because automation makes many of your day-to-day tasks simpler, professionals are losing their edge when it comes to skills. However, because automated systems are often used to manage tasks that are time consuming, laborious and complex, employees can better organise themselves and prioritise work of a higher value.
Additionally, it is an opportunity to further develop hard and soft skills, as employees have more time to work on teaching their co-workers new systems related to automation, engage in company-wide training and presentations, work on the skills required to maintain automated technologies and more.
Essentially, while automation can lessen the need for certain skills related to large-scale data projects, for example compilation and analytics, it encourages the development and exploration of new skills that can greatly expand your current abilities.
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
