The Future Is Here: The Evolution and Implications of AI in the Workplace

Have you heard about Elon Musk’s humanoidOpens a new window , Tesla Bot? It’s not a hypothetical character for the next dystopian blockbuster. Rather, it is a prototype of the 5’8” 125-lb AI-powered robot that could debut as early as 2022. According to Musk, in the future, “…physical work will be a choice,” and innovations like the Tesla Bot have been designed to automate repetitive tasks that could be considered boring or unsafe. 

While the prospect of deploying an AI-powered robot to take over repetitive tasks still seems a bit far-fetched, AI-powered tools and technologies have already been transforming the way businesses operate and transforming the way employees work. In fact, the average enterprise has more than 200 apps in their tech stack that leverage AI in one way or another. And artificial intelligence (AI) AI is only going to continue to grow: Fortune Business Insights predicts the global market size for AI will reach $266.92 billion by 2027Opens a new window , growing at a hefty CAGR of 33.2% during the forecasted period. 

As AI-driven technologies evolve, the workplace will permanently change in ways we are only just beginning to imagine. Organizations that are better prepared to integrate AI-powered tools and technologies into their daily operations will not only be able to adapt faster but will also extract more value from AI and create a significant competitive advantage.

See More: Workplace in Overdrive: 5 High-Impact Use Cases for Automation and Machine Learning

A New Workforce for the New Workplace

According to BCGOpens a new window , by the end of 2021, AI and automation will have had dramatic impacts on employees, organizations, and the global economy. By 2030, they will result in major shifts in labor supply and demand. For example, demand for technical talent will surge: approximately six million workers could be needed to fill roles that require expertise in computer science and mathematics in the U.S. alone (while German companies may need about 1 million). 

AI will also alter the physical workplace. We’re already seeing evidence of this in manufacturing, retail, and other industries. Think robotic arms on the manufacturing floor or AI-driven algorithms that automate data processing with precision and speed. 

The benefits of AI-driven innovation are numerous, including increased efficiency and productivity, faster time to market for new products, and better customer service. As a greater volume of simple and repetitive tasks are automated, skilled employees will have more time to focus on strategic activities, helping workplaces to become more efficient and productive than ever. 

In healthcare, for instance, AI-enabled virtual assistants reduce unneeded hospital visits. And in financial services, AI-powered fraud prevention is now an essential part of enterprise IT security, enabling fraud teams to reduce time spent analyzing data and looking for suspicious activity. And marketers can leverage AI to quickly and easily segment and personalize campaigns to drive more conversions. These are just a few examples and the tip of the iceberg in terms of AI’s potential.

Now You’re Talking 

A good example of how AI can benefit businesses and consumers alike is the chatbot. Customer-facing applications and websites leverage chatbots to help consumers navigate the buying process, find information, or submit support requests. 

But that’s not all chatbots are good for. Businesses are applying chatbot technology to enable employee self-service applications to assist with employee onboarding and training. Some are available in-app, supporting employees as they navigate complex tools required as part of their jobs. For example, digital adoption platforms (DAPs) can be integrated with applications to guide employees through complicated processes and tasks without interrupting their workflow. They can also be used to analyze anonymized data from chatbot interactions to better understand and address employees’ skills gaps.

Armed with more data, IT leaders can deliver a drastically better user experience across applications and align to business processes without any configuration changes or human interaction from their team. Everything is done powered by AI and machine learning to extract data. A better user experience equals improved digital adoption and even more value from digital transformation. 

With all of these use cases and benefits, it’s no wonder companies are adopting AI-powered tools and technologies at such a rapid pace.

Is There a Catch? 

While AI is already providing tremendous benefits to businesses and the public at large, like any new technology, there is a potential downside: large-scale workplace automation could displace lower-skilled employees. In fact, the World Economic ForumOpens a new window already identified the need for a “Reskilling Revolution” as soon as 2022. Businesses will need to either hire tech-savvy workers with the appropriate skill set or implement structured programs to get current employees up to speed in a way that doesn’t impact productivity. 

However, lengthy training programs will inhibit an organization’s ability to keep pace. Organizations that find ways to train employees rapidly without taking them away from their daily tasks will be rewarded with loyalty and retention. They’ll also optimize labor costs by upskilling employees rather than recruiting specialized talent.

Upskilling Is the Key to Success With AI

Human-like robots are unlikely to take anyone’s job in the near future. But as proven, AI is here to stay, and the faster we can learn to put it to work to boost the bottom line, the better. This will require digitally savvy workers who can think strategically and adapt to a fast-changing workplace. Effective training, reskilling, and upskilling will benefit employees and employers aliker while helping businesses build an agile, resilient and high-performing workforce that’s able to grow and adapt to meet the changing needs of the business — now and into the future.

What provisions have you made to accommodate AI and automation at your workplace? Let us know on FacebookOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window .