In this article, you will learn:
- What jobs may be created as a result of robotization
- How to protect against cybersecurity threats
- What the humanization of work is and how to put it into practice
- In which areas robots cannot replace people
The rapid development of robotics and artificial intelligence is raising concerns about the future of our work. The large number of articles appearing in the mainstream media seems to confirm that a genuine revolution is under way. Amid this media attention, we should neither panic nor, at the other extreme, become obsessed with robotization. It is important to remember that robotization and the humanization of work are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, they are complementary concepts whose appropriate use increases our chances of business success far more than treating them as opposing extremes. Let us therefore consider how to balance the need for technological adaptation with the need to preserve the human nature of work. Will robots take our jobs?
Let us begin with the question that concerns employees most: will robots take our jobs? The answer is both yes and no. Looking at previous technological advances, we can clearly see that although robots may eliminate some routine tasks from a process, other tasks take their place—tasks that did not previously exist and are more satisfying for people to perform. Robotization focuses on automating laborious work that is consequently prone to human error. Once employees are freed from that work, there is room for tasks requiring critical thinking, creativity or empathy. In this respect, robotization can support employees’ personal development and bring them considerable satisfaction.
New roles for people in an automated world
One of the key strategies for balancing the humanization and robotization of work is to identify each employee’s potential and the opportunities available to them accurately. Employees, for their part, should also focus on their own development so that they can adapt to a changing labour market. Not long ago, no one had heard of a
Prompt Engineer for ChatGPT, yet the first people with this job title can already be found in Western countries. It is not yet clear how this career path will develop and evolve, but it provides compelling evidence that new technologies create new roles for people. New jobs associated with robotization may involve programming robots, analysing and managing data, or acting as an intermediary between a robot’s work and reporting used to develop business strategies. Much depends on the type of company involved. New
opportunities for human employees in an automated world vary between industries, each of which has its own characteristics. We have discussed the influence of artificial intelligence on online marketing, for example, but that influence will differ from its effect on accounting processes. One principle applies in every scenario: it is worth investing in personal development and keeping track of emerging roles.
The role of education in the age of robotization
Advances in robotization bring not only new opportunities but also new types of digital threat. Education therefore plays a crucial role in preparing employees for the challenges created by new technologies. Training in the use of new software and platforms is naturally essential, as is creating room for information exchange so that the full potential of the available technology can be realized. Digital-security training is equally important. In the relationship between people and robots, people are the weakest link targeted by hackers.
RPA security should be treated as a priority from the implementation-planning stage onward. Only properly qualified staff and compliance with sound security practices allow an organization to enjoy the benefits offered by automation.
Humanizing work: how to create a workplace that works with automation
Creating the right working environment—one that allows people to collaborate optimally with automation—requires appropriate employee training. Taking employees’ individual needs and aspirations into account and recognizing their talents calls for an empathetic, human approach. A working environment that promotes greater flexibility and innovation also contributes to the humanization of work. Human interaction, creativity and problem-solving skills are difficult for machines to replace. The human factor is essential to business success. After all, we do business with people, not robots. We work in a world where technology responds to people’s needs, not the other way around. Although many activities can be automated, robotization is a means rather than an end. An approach in which automation makes people’s work easier instead of replacing them is the basis for a harmonious balance between robotization and humanization.
