Artificial Intelligence in Workplace: Automation is Knocking the Door

Employees are in favour of adopting artificial intelligence in workplace as it minimizes human labour

"Sophia, please collect the printouts from the machine and Geminoid DK, schedule my meeting for this afternoon," orders a manager to his humanoid robot worker. This is the future we are anticipating for artificial intelligence in workplace. However, companies across the globe are already adopting artificial intelligence to streamline day-to-day activities. Employees are also in favour of the changes as it minimizes their time spent on vague and lengthy labour works.

Workplace is one of the hundred things that artificial intelligence has touched in the 21st century. Even non-technology companies are looking for artificial intelligence solutions to better perform in their routine. Starting from the recruitment process to manufacturing goods and carrying out the execution processes, artificial intelligence has influenced the workplace totally. Besides, creating a satisfactory employee experience, using chatbots in HR, availing data and analytics to take critical decisions, implementing data security, etc are some of the benefits of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Unfortunately, the high embrace of technology has planted doubts on human minds. At least at one stage of our life, we must've wondered 'if AI will dehumanise the future of work?' Even though we can't deny the fact that it could be true one day, humans are far from that stage. To be precise, we are just at the doorstep of adopting intelligent automation and have a long way to go.

According to Deloitte's 2019 Global Human Capital Trends report, around 41% of respondents said that they are using automation 'extensively' across many areas of their organizations. Only 38% of them said they expect technologies like AI to eliminate jobs at their organizations over the next three years and merely 13% believed the numbers will be significant. Over the past few years, artificial intelligence in workplace has matured into a collection of powerful technologies that are delivering a competitive advantage to business across diverse industries. Henceforth, the future of work is anticipated to have humans and machines work together with mutual consent.

Intelligent automation to challenge the upswing 

The unexpected sweep by the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the mindset of people. Along with the mindset, their shopping preferences also shifted. Today, businesses are being hindered with new restrictions and 63% of business decision-makers feel they are struggling to meet customer demands. Fortunately, 93% of those decision-makers think that intelligent automation services will help solve emerging problems. Modern businesses are focusing more on strategies than groundwork. However, it helps them see improvement more than their expectation. Intelligent automation in workplace offers a handful of advantages like saving money, enhancing efficiency and improved communication. By implementing intelligent automation in the work environment, businesses can focus on more strategic work. Besides, business leaders are increasingly becoming familiar with the benefits of intelligent automation services. A survey conducted at the beginning of 2020 suggests that over 92% of business leaders already had plans to roll out intelligent automation in their organizations.

Augmentation to streamline routine process

When we take a close look at artificial intelligence in workplace, it is 'augmentation' that is outperforming every other automation features. Augmentation will help employees do their jobs more effectively, rather than replacing them. Augmentation in workplace is seen as a saviour that will take over the mundane tasks, leaving us free to do more intellectual works that involve creativity and human-to-human interaction. Besides, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is used to monitor workflows and processes, and make intelligent suggestions about how things could be done more effectively or efficiently. The RPA tools will leverage the benefit to carry out repetitive tasks like scheduling and arranging a meeting or managing a diary.

Robotic Diaspora and not a dystopia

Humans fear robots more than any other artificial intelligence innovations, thanks to sci-fi movies and dramas. They have made us believe that robots will replace humans one day or even rise against mankind and take over us. This has also influenced workplace and induced a ray of insecurity among employees. They imagine a future where robots take control of most activities or decisions where human interactions or feeling do not matter. Unfortunately, humans should stop overthinking and see reality for a second. Today, robots in workplace are doing all the hard and even dangerous tasks. To be precise, they are ensuring that humans do not get hurt or face loss while doing tough labour works.