Automation is a hot topic in the business world, with companies embracing technology automation to streamline operations and reduce costs.
But there's still fear and misunderstanding about its impact on the human workforce. With the rise of ChatGPT and other AI-driven solutions, some suggest automation could lead to widespread job losses.
We’re here to set the record straight.
What Is Workforce Automation?
Workforce automation uses technology to perform repetitive, rule-based tasks quickly and consistently. It helps businesses free up staff time, reduce errors, and boost productivity by streamlining workflows.
At The Missing Link, we implement robotic process automation (RPA) to help clients automate tasks such as:
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Onboarding and offboarding
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Invoice and bank statement processing
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Inventory and compliance tracking
RPA follows set instructions every time, allowing people to focus on more complex and valuable work.
Key benefits of Workforce Automation
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Boosts productivity by removing manual bottlenecks
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Improves job satisfaction by freeing teams from low-value work
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Creates new, skilled roles in automation design and oversight
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Supports business growth by enabling scalability and efficiency
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Protects employee wellbeing by reducing burnout and overload
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Automation vs AI – what’s the difference?
While often mentioned together, automation and AI are distinct:
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Automation follows specific rules to execute structured, repeatable tasks.
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AI (Artificial Intelligence) simulates human intelligence to handle ambiguity and interpret data.
At The Missing Link, we combine both through Intelligent Automation – where RPA does the heavy lifting and AI adds cognitive ability. Together, they expand what's possible.
Humans and machines: Who does what best?
Understanding where automation excels – and where humans are indispensable – is key to getting it right. Even when augmented with AI, automation doesn’t replace human jobs. It follows pre-defined rules to execute tasks, but it lacks the creativity, critical thinking, and judgment that people bring to the table.
That’s why tools like RPA are best suited to repetitive, routine processes – not to problem-solving or nuanced decision-making. The most effective approach is one that blends both: assigning structured tasks to automation and reserving complex, human-led work for your team.
Even AI isn’t a set-and-forget solution – it needs human oversight to ensure outcomes are accurate, ethical, and aligned to business goals. And while automation isn’t here to replace the human workforce, its growing popularity is transforming the way we work – complementing human skills and enhancing our everyday working lives through smarter, more efficient processes.
How automation is making work more fulfilling
1. It's creating better jobs, not eliminating them
While automation removes manual tasks, it opens doors to higher-skilled opportunities.
RPA systems require people to design, maintain, and monitor them. AI tools rely on human input to train and refine models.
Take the banking industry: when ATMs replaced cash-handling tasks, teller roles evolved into customer advisory services – and employment grew.
A 2021 Wharton study confirmed this: businesses that embrace automation tend to hire more, not fewer, employees due to increased output and growth.
2. It boosts job satisfaction and retention
Automation doesn’t just drive efficiency – it improves how people feel about their work.
According to The Augmented Human Enterprise study by Goldsmiths, University of London:
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Companies using automation are 33% more likely to be human-friendly
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Employees in those companies are 31% more productive
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Free from repetitive tasks, staff can focus on meaningful, creative, and strategic responsibilities – leading to reduced burnout and higher engagement.
3. And we still prefer people
Even in a high-tech world, people value the human touch. Fields like social work, healthcare, education, and customer service rely on empathy, intuition, and personal interaction.
Sociologist Michael Handel found that despite fears, roles previously assumed to be under threat from AI – like radiologists – continue to thrive. The workforce isn’t shrinking; it’s evolving.
How Workforce Automation is changing modern organisations
Automation is transforming organisational design – not by removing roles, but by reshaping how teams operate.
We’re seeing:
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Blended teams of humans and bots
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A shift in performance metrics from time spent to value delivered
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The emergence of roles focused on automation strategy, governance and training
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This evolution isn’t about reducing headcount – it’s about amplifying human potential.
The future of work: Skills, culture and strategy
Looking ahead, workforce automation is set to reshape not just the tasks we perform, but the culture we build and the skills we prioritise. To stay ahead, businesses must focus on two key areas:
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Building a culture of continual improvement
Automation is more than a tool – it’s a catalyst for change. Real-time data and smart workflows drive continuous improvement, enabling teams to adapt and innovate faster.
To succeed, businesses need a culture that values experimentation, collaboration, and feedback – supported by agile tech infrastructure.
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Educating for a human-automation partnership
The future workforce must be equipped with both technical and human-centric skills. This includes:
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Problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking
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Digital literacy, data analysis, AI collaboration
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Awareness of ethics and bias in tech
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Education and training must evolve to prepare people to thrive alongside automation, not fear it.
Embrace the future of work with confidence
Automation isn’t a threat – it’s an opportunity. It enhances, not replaces, human contribution.
And the organisations that embrace it are seeing the rewards in agility, innovation and employee experience.
So don’t fear automation. Embrace it – and see what it can do for your business. Reach out today for a free discovery session.
