This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
As the world grapples with the concept of automation and artificial intelligence, a common misconception has emerged: that technology is hell-bent on replacing humans.
However, this notion is built on fear, and it's time to set the record straight.
Artificial intelligence is not a complicated topic reserved for tech titans alone. In fact, it's a concept that can be understood by anyone, and its application is becoming an integral part of our daily lives.
When computers and their programs are attuned to carry out tasks previously only possible through human intelligence, that's artificial intelligence at work.
But what does this mean for the future of work? The answer lies in embracing automation, not fearing it.
By automating routine tasks, we create space to unleash our unmatched creativity, leading to new frontiers and new work that dignifies and delights.
Take, for example, the introduction of ATMs in the 1980s. Many thought they would spell doom for bank tellers, but instead, they reduced the cost of operating a bank branch, leading to the opening of more branches and, in turn, more tellers.
Businesses welcome automation because it brings efficiency, and efficiency improves a business's bottom line.
When computers take over some human tasks within a business, those businesses grow faster, not slower.
So, what's the takeaway? Technology, used well, helps more than it hurts. It makes business better, frees us from trite tasks, and opens floodgates of possibilities.
And, for now, technology won't supplant us.
