Automation is a hot topic in the business world, as companies implement technology to streamline their operations and reduce costs.
But there's been a lot of fear and misunderstanding about the potential impact of automation on employment. With the arrival of ChatGPT and other automation solutions employing artificial intelligence (AI), some suggest that automation could lead to widespread job loss and unemployment.
I’m here to tell you that this is not the case.
The differences between automation and AI – and how they work together
First of all, I’d like to clear up a common misconception. Automation and AI are two different (but complementary) technologies.
Here at The Missing Link, we use automation technology called robotic process automation (RPA) to help our clients.
RPA bots automate manual, repetitive business processes by performing them the same way every time, allowing the reallocation of staff time to more complex and value-adding tasks.
AI on the other hand simulates human intelligence and, unlike RPA technology, can deal with ambiguity or unstructured data in a process.
We combine RPA tool AI to extend the capabilities of automation for our clients. This is Intelligent Automation.
Why automation can’t replace a human workforce
Even when augmented using AI, the reality is that automation doesn’t replace human jobs. It follows pre-defined rules and instructions to perform tasks, but it does not have the ability to think creatively or make judgment calls like humans do.
So, automated tools like RPA are best suited to performing repetitive and routine tasks, rather than tasks that require problem-solving or decision-making skills.
Here, you can see an overview of some of the tasks best suited to automation compared with those better left to a team of humans... 
Despite the fact that automation isn’t here to replace the human workforce, its growing popularity is set to transform, complement and enhance our everyday work life with its capabilities.
Automation is creating complementary jobs and driving higher skilled work
Though it is advanced, automation requires humans to design and develop the technology and to maintain the automated solutions.
RPA systems are not able to identify errors or exceptions in the same way that humans can, so they need to be monitored and reviewed by humans to make sure they’re functioning correctly. Consequently, RPA can actually create new job opportunities for people with technical skills, especially in high-skilled industries like software development and data science.
Historical examples of technology playing a part in the creation of complementary jobs include the introduction of ATMs, which performed routine tasks usually handled by bank tellers. Ultimately, these machines freed up the time of bank tellers for more productive tasks like marketing and individualised customer service – leading to an uptick in the number of people employed by banks.
This dynamic has been observed recently, too! A 2021 Wharton study found companies that invest in automation actually end up hiring more people. Automation can boost productivity by streamlining processes, which can lead to business growth and the need for more employees to manage the expanded operations.
Employees become happier and more productive with automation
According to a study called The Augmented Human Enterprise, conducted by Goldsmiths at the University of London, organisations that have implemented automation technologies are 33% more likely to be 'human-friendly' workplaces, and employees are 31% more productive as a result.
Why is this? It's simple, really. By automating repetitive and low-skilled tasks, human workers are freed up to focus on more complex and value-added tasks that require their unique skills and expertise (the more fulfilling parts of most jobs).
For example, a company that uses RPA to automate the processing of invoices may find that its human workers are able to spend more time analysing data and making strategic decisions, rather than spending their time on manual data entry. This not only benefits the company in terms of increased productivity, but it also benefits the employee by allowing them to use their skills and expertise in more meaningful ways.
Automation can have a positive impact on workplace wellbeing by reducing stress and burnout among employees. When automation takes care of mundane tasks, workers can avoid feeling overwhelmed and overworked, which can contribute to a happier and more motivated workforce. This can also result in improved job satisfaction, better employee retention rates, and increased innovation within the organisation. Overall, embracing automation can lead to a healthier and more productive work environment.
People prefer other people over automation
It turns out that many of us are truly exceptional at what we do, and we’re likely to remain indispensable in various fields such as patient care, social work, and customer service. Even if technology continues to advance in these areas, there’s evidence to suggest we’ll continue to value tasks performed by other humans.
A sociologist named Michael Handel has been studying the relationship between technology and the workforce for decades. Handel is pretty skeptical about claims that technology is advancing faster than human workers can adapt to these changes. Findings from one of his recent studies showed that humans are actually quite successful in the job market, despite fears of job loss due to AI In fact, job categories that were once said to be doomed by AI are still doing well today – case in point: radiologists.
While technology can certainly be helpful in many areas, there are certain things that only a human touch can provide. As we continue to move forward in the digital age, we shouldn't forget the importance of the human element in certain industries.
Changing the shape of the modern organisation
It’s easy to see how automation has the potential to transform how companies operate – and I’ve only just scratched the surface here in this article.
Aside from the trends described above, experts have also explored the ways automation is changing the composition of the future workforce, and how performance incentives and measurement will evolve.
RPA is not a threat to employment, but rather a positive force encouraging businesses to improve their operations and increase their competitiveness. It complements and enhances the work of human employees, and can lead to the creation of new high-skilled jobs.
So, don't be afraid of automation. Embrace it and see what it can do for your business. Reach out today for a free discovery session.
