Human + Machine: A book for the new era of AI

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are putting us at the cusp of a major transformation in business. It’s a new era in which the fundamental rules by which we run our organizations are being rewritten daily. With so much change, how do organizations know which way to go? New mindsets, models and road maps are needed. For guidance, I am pleased and proud to highlight a new book, Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI, published by Harvard Business Review Press, which provides a missing and much-needed AI management playbook. A big shout-out to its authors and my Accenture colleagues, Paul Daugherty, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, and H. James Wilson, Managing Director – Accenture Research.

Drawing on research gathered from more than 1,500 companies, Human + Machine was a valuable read in that it gave me useful historical context of the evolution of different waves of AI, where many organizations are with it today, and guidance on how to continue exploiting the full potential of AI technologies. The research shows that although AI can be deployed to automate certain functions, the technology’s greatest power is in complementing and augmenting human capabilities. Humans and machines aren’t adversaries; instead, they are symbiotic partners each pushing the other to higher levels of performance. This emerging symbiosis between man and machine is unlocking what Paul and Jim call “the third wave of business transformation.”

Given that Accenture is transforming into an intelligent, automated, and insight-driven enterprise, I find the content of the book fascinating and timely. As CIO, the analyses, examples, road map, and the insights on the new jobs, roles, and skills that will be required as people use AI-powered tools to augment and transform the way they work are immensely insightful for me. Human + Machine makes me even more aware of how Accenture will need to be open to enabling new, innovative ways of doing business.

In the new age of AI, we all will be pushed to reimagine processes across all functions of the company and rethink the relationship between employees and machines to get the most benefit from AI technology’s power to augment human capability. Those that think of innovative ways for machines to augment humans hold the potential to become leaders in their industries.

What about your organization? Is it ready to ride the third wave?

Andrew

You can follow me on Twitter at @andrewxwilson. 

Andrew Wilson is the chief information officer at Accenture.