Ever since the first automated processes in large factories replaced man at his work station, the fear that robotic elements would replace the human and thus render him redundant, grew and was never quite appeased. Today, the rise in AI, cloud computing and autonomous bots is happening at breakneck speed. Google’s DeepMind AI has recently just taught itself how to walk and yes, you read that correctly. Without any prior guidance, Google’s DeepMind AI made its way across different terrains and, using only visual sensors, it has learned how to walk, jump and run. While the result is goofy to say the least, it is also a small reality check and a reminder of how far we’ve come – and how far we still have the potential to go.
With all these advances in AI, it’s very easy to neglect the largest resource in any company. The human resource, a trillion dollar industry and still one of the fastest growing fields worldwide has still much going for it and the reasons behind it are very simple: while AI truly does reduce the amount of human input needed, it can never fully replace the human element, or at least it is not able to do it just yet. Man is a complicated animal by nature. The intricacies which make up a human mind go beyond the logical and the rational; they encompass empathy, compassion, tolerance, a disregard for rules when it is needed, creativity and an aptitude of thinking outside the box. AI is making huge leaps in this regard too but it hasn’t reached the same levels yet – probably due to our inability to perfectly understand what Intelligence is. Some go on to state that AI may never acquire the human element to its full extent, but we shall let time be the judge of that. In the meantime, we’re going to take a look at ways in which tech and the human element are working harmoniously together in today’s workplace.
Automation to Facilitate
Automation may not necessarily mean replacing the human element in its entirety. Time and again, we have seen online bots perform onerous tasks which man might otherwise not have time for.
A simple example of what bots are capable of, would be filtering through endless databases, extracting reports, identifying anomalies, alerting when certain thresholds have been surpassed. The list is endless. These types of bots, albeit slightly more complex than your average filter bot, are adopted and applied to a number of industries. E-commerce platforms use chatbots to interact more efficiently with their customers. Trading bots are used to execute trades on the stock exchange based on set parameters, while Forex robots assist traders by scouring the market when the trader is unable to. While these bots can never replace the experience or the analysis of a human being, they facilitate the work for people who need it.
We have seen this phenomena replicated across various fields, from task automation (I want my phone to turn silent when I enter my work place), to research and data mining (filtering out your critical emails and sending you a text when one needs an action ASAP). Ultimately, automation can help you create better connections, while finding more time to engage with people.
Employing Digital Means to Connect Better with Employees
Employee compensation, retention, policies, recruitment and all that defines HR has much to learn from adopting technological strategies to improve its current systems. The beauty of this lies in its simplicity. Although it may not be apparent to many, adopting digital tools to feel the pulse of the workforce does not take ground breaking technological knowledge. Many companies use simple polling tools which they distribute electronically to their employees. From these polls they can gather data relating to workers’ state of mind at the place of work, get feedback about certain policies, and get suggestions easily and effectively.
Apart from it being an effective way to get answers rapidly, it is also a tool by which workers feel a sense of self-worth. In multi-tiered organisations, it is very easy to feel like you are simply another number, another cog in the established wheel. Digital tools can lessen the distance between management and employees, cultivating a relationship based on virtual open-door policies, when the real ones are not immediately attainable.
Combining Tech And the Human
Organisations worldwide are making it their mission to improve the working life of employees around the globe. Through the correct utilisation of research methodologies, these companies offer clients a way into reading what their employees are really thinking about their work and their place in it. Their custom built software finds patterns and correlations in the answers given by the employees, which would help the employer understand why they are feeling that way.
However, reading the results from this software is only one part of the journey. What follows is a series of workshops designed to engage with the employees and getting them to engage amongst themselves. The human element thus steps in to forge stronger ties, without discriminating by role or position. Indeed, many organisations turn to these kind of sessions and workshops after having collected data electronically, re-affirming the notion that, while AI and digital tools facilitate employer to employee connection, the human experience is still needed to develop a holistic understanding of the worker, and to secure a lasting bond.
Many businesses make the mistake of attributing too much importance to the operational side, neglecting the role of the human element altogether. Others may create an imbalance in their preference of digital over human or vice-versa. While it is undeniable that AI is already playing a huge role in our day-to-day lives, and will probably occupy a more determining role in the future, businesses still need to find the time to understand their people and to learn the importance of putting them first. As we have seen in this article, it is perfectly possible to utilise digital means to achieve this end, thus creating a harmonious balance between the two. Although we lack the foresight to claim, without a doubt, that the human element can never be replaced, we feel confident enough to say that no matter what the future of the workplace holds, man will be playing a pivotal role in shaping it.
