Definitions
Automation-the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate automatically (1).
Affective Computing- computing that relates to, arises from, or deliberately influences emotion or other affective phenomena (2).
Automation of Jobs
The use of robots to automate jobs is something that is often criticized because of how many people have been put out of their jobs. To some extent, this replacement seems natural. For example, in the case of factories workers being replaced with robots, when you have a more efficient way of getting a task done, it is understandable that you would want to switch to that method. However, the question of whether human workers should be replaced with robots does not have a clear cut answer.
This is the case when considering the role of the manager. To try and find an answer, look at B12, the company behind the software program Orchestra. This software gives us a look into a future where robots are in the manager position. When given a project to complete, Orchestra is able to organize groups of workers as well as other robots in order to get the job done. One example of this would be when customers go to B12 in hopes of getting their website improved. Given this task, Orchestra is capable of finding the right employees and assigning them tasks in order to complete the job. In addition, Orchestra’s method of assigning tasks allows for a process where a worker who was a assigned a task can discuss the detail of the task with any other worker who has previously been a part of the project (4).
When you think about a manager’s tasks such as “using data to evaluate problems, making better decisions than the team, monitoring team members’ performance, setting relevant goals, and providing accurate feedback”, one can imagine a future where the manager position is replaced by robots (3). However, while it may be possible to replace the manager, the question still remains regarding whether or not it is the right decision. With this it is best to look at the pros and cons of an automated manager. On one hand, with sophisticated technology, automated managers would be able to analyze data and make very precise and informed decisions. On the other hand, AI is still prone to mistakes and is limited in their ability to make creative decisions (3). In addition to these pros and cons, some aspects of an automated manager lie on the border, such as the lack of affective computing. While lacking emotions allows robots to be unbiased when dealing with employees, it is important to recognize that humans do need interaction with other humans capable of understanding their emotions (3).
Conclusion
While it is going to take some time before we are all working for automated managers, it is still important to examine the effects such a shift may have on society. In addition, it is important to realize the role that computer science will have in this shift. To some extent, computer science is the start of a domino effect that has the ability to change the world. Since computer science is the reason for our current automated technology, it is the work of computer scientist that will help to determine if managers will become automated. Then these advancements will most likely cause a change in the everyday workplace that can make the lives of humans either better or worse.
Sources
I could see the relation between this blog and my previous blog post where I addressed the risk of AI and whether it is ethical to gather large set of data about people's lives and property. I am glad you brought up the concern of unemployment since many people are anxious of being replaced by machines and robots as computer technology gets better and better. But I think we cannot fully depend of either humans or machines since both are prone to errors and have their own strengths and weaknesses like you mentioned in the blog. I think in the future, computer scientists would find algorithms and ways that would make humans and machines interact more to perform tasks and make sure that computers do not put humans out of job.
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