The future of work is uncertain. Some say robots will dominate the workforce, perhaps eliminating human jobs altogether. The guesswork doesn't stop in imagining possible futures of an even more technology-driven economy. Amid such speculation, it’s easy for business owners to feel unsure about how to plan for the next decade.
In this article, we’ll look at the underlying trend expected to dominate the future workplace: The rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Recently, Gartner made six predictions about how businesses will work by 2028 (full content available to Gartner clients). These got us thinking about two critical impacts AI will have on the future workplace, what these mean for small and midsize businesses, and how business owners and HR leaders can start preparing for these trends in advance.
Prediction #1: AI will replace a number of middle management jobs
Ever imagined taking orders from a robot? This could soon be a reality.
Machine bosses will replace human bosses by the end of the decade. Algorithms that boss employees around, also known as robobosses, will be responsible for assigning work based on skill sets. Robobosses will also decide whether employees will get a promotion and what their salary increases will be.
Here are the top reasons why businesses will be interested in implementing robobosses:
Team composition at the beginning of the decade
Today’s teams comprise employees with expertise in particular skill sets brought together by organizational hierarchy. For instance, a marketing team consists of members who have expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, social media marketing, and analytics. Each team has a manager who supervises projects, manages conflicts and people-centric issues, assigns tasks to members, and ensures smooth project execution. The team manager is also responsible for monitoring employee performance and scaling the team size (up or down) as per business requirements.
Team composition at the end of the decade
By the end of the decade, a large number of teams will be autonomous with robobosses responsible for functions currently performed by team managers. Robobosses will manage project allocation, deadlines, delivery, and communication. Smart machines will be responsible for ensuring coordination among different teams, such as sales, marketing, and finance. They will also monitor employee performance and assess the need for upscaling or downsizing based on predicted project workloads. READ MO
- Data-driven decision-making: It’s true that robots can't show emotions or empathy, but there's one area where they can outperform humans: data-driven decision-making. AI can scan large datasets and apply predictive algorithms to provide actionable insights to business owners. For instance, a roboboss can use factors such as efficiency, skill, knowledge, and motivation level to select team members for projects. This practice will ensure that members with the right skill set and work attitude are chosen, which will increase the chances of timely project completion.
- Cost-effectiveness: Robobosses will take over most middle management tasks, eliminating the need for multiple middle management positions. This will not only lower the salary costs associated with middle managers but also make team management more efficient.
- Availability: Unlike human bosses, robobosses will be available 24/7, making it easier for businesses to manage a global workforce operating in different time zones.
- Impact of this prediction – 2020 vs. 2030
Team composition at the beginning of the decade
Today’s teams comprise employees with expertise in particular skill sets brought together by organizational hierarchy. For instance, a marketing team consists of members who have expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, social media marketing, and analytics. Each team has a manager who supervises projects, manages conflicts and people-centric issues, assigns tasks to members, and ensures smooth project execution. The team manager is also responsible for monitoring employee performance and scaling the team size (up or down) as per business requirements.
Team composition at the end of the decade
By the end of the decade, a large number of teams will be autonomous with robobosses responsible for functions currently performed by team managers. Robobosses will manage project allocation, deadlines, delivery, and communication. Smart machines will be responsible for ensuring coordination among different teams, such as sales, marketing, and finance. They will also monitor employee performance and assess the need for upscaling or downsizing based on predicted project workloads. READ MO
