Modern Times: AI and the supercharged human

by Brian Clark

In the history of cinema, perhaps no character has been part of our collective imaginations as long as Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp. Known for possessing a childlike demeanor — and a tendency to stumble his way into sticky situations — he was bringing smiles to the earliest moviegoers more than a decade before the debut of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse.

His appeal cuts across generations, too. I fondly remember watching Charlie Chaplin movies as a kid, laughing along with my parents as the Tramp evaded authorities only to wind up in the same trouble a few frames later. It’s the kind of movie magic that Hollywood studios spend countless millions of dollars trying to recreate, hoping to dream up the next summer blockbuster, tailor-made for hot summer days like these.

The Tramp’s most famous appearance was his last. At the end of 1936’s Modern Times, Chaplin’s character walks off into the sunset, quite literally, toward an uncertain but hopeful future. It marks a fitting conclusion for a film that tells the story of the character’s struggles to survive in an industrialized world as a factory worker overwhelmed by the relentless pace of mechanization. In an iconic scene, he winds up trapped within the gears of a massive machine. As viewers, we see him squeezing through the cogs as they twist and turn, ceaselessly tightening each and every bolt along the way. (If you’re interested in watching the movie, it’s available in its entirety on YouTube .)

Nearly 90 years since its release, the message in Modern Times serves as a relevant metaphor for the era of technological progress we find ourselves in today — an era which, at times, can also feel overwhelming. At the same time, it reminds us that we’ve been here before. In the face of rapid innovation, it’s not unusual for the same kind of skepticism that Chaplin’s character portrays in Modern Times to get the best of us. In fact, I’d argue that this is a healthy part of the process — a necessary check against the kind of unfettered progress that could do more harm than good.

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) — or any emerging technology, for that matter — it’s critical for us to have guardrails in place to protect not just our economy, but also our fundamental human values and societal well-being. Ensuring we don’t get trapped in the gears of AI is the role of an entire profession of ethicists working in the field of responsible AI, which involves the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems that prioritize ethical considerations, transparency, and accountability. Done right, responsible AI will help ensure that AI technologies are designed and used in ways that respect privacy, prevent biases, and promote fairness.

Like many people, I’ve spent a lot of time over the past couple of years considering the pros and cons of AI. I’ve talked with colleagues and friends near and far about how they’re deploying AI in their own work. And I’ve read my fair share of articles that offer compelling evidence about the implications of AI — both good and bad. Weighing it all, I have to say, I’m feeling optimistic.

While there are genuine concerns about the potential disruption to jobs and the economy, our own research reveals that AI is just as likely to create new jobs and opportunities for workers. As evidence, one survey, featured in AgileOne’s Workforce Solutions Market Overview: 2024 Mid-Year Update , found that 95 percent of executives and 94 percent of IT practitioners agree that AI initiatives are likely to fail without a workforce skilled in utilizing these tools. Additionally, both groups emphasize that the most crucial action organizations can take to ready themselves for emerging AI technologies is to invest in talent, training, and a supportive culture.

In other words, AI and humans go hand in hand. After all, generating the right outputs requires a human touch — and a workforce skilled in using AI.

When it comes to AI and its implications for the workforce solutions industry, there is no one I trust more than Jordan Morrow . An expert in data literacy and emerging technologies like AI, he is also one of the newest members of the AgileOne family, stepping into the new role of senior vice president of data & AI innovation. His presence at AgileOne underscores our commitment to technological advancement, and his vision and expertise will be crucial as we help our clients navigate this transformative era.

Speaking with Jordan, I’ve grown more convinced that AI represents a superpower, not a threat. Used responsibly, it has the potential to transform routine tasks, liberating human potential and enabling us to concentrate on what truly matters: creativity, empathy, and groundbreaking ideas.

I imagine a world of supercharged humans, where our strengths are amplified and no task is too tall. In this ideal world, AI and other emerging technologies will work seamlessly alongside us, transforming routine tasks and unlocking new potential that, all along, has been hiding just beneath the surface.

Of course, the key lies in our approach. As leaders, we must embrace AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement, creating a synergy that propels us forward, not back. This means investing in the right people and processes to ensure that our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to harness AI effectively. That includes people like Jordan, who are helping foster a culture of continuous evolution.

When Jordan shared the good news of his new role at AgileOne , he named a few factors that played into his decision to join our team. These factors, he said, could help any worker considering a job switch evaluate an organization based on whether it is “heading in the right direction with data.” However, this goes both ways. His list is also a useful tool for anyone tasked with hiring the kind of skilled talent that our supercharged future demands. I’ve paraphrased it below:

●????? Buy-in from senior leadership

●????? Understanding it can take time to get things right

●????? Willingness to invest to make it happen

●????? Willingness to do the work

●????? A culture that is excited and wants to evolve

The bottom line: when it comes to AI, it's everyone’s responsibility to lead with integrity and an open mind. However, for leaders, this responsibility takes on even greater significance.

By harnessing the full breadth of human ingenuity, we can propel society forward, achieving the extraordinary and solving complex challenges with unprecedented efficiency and brilliance. It’s about more than technological advancement — it's about empowering humans to reach their highest potential and shaping a better, more innovative world. As professionals in workforce solutions, this is in our DNA.

Together, we must work to ensure that the future of AI looks a lot more like Superman and less like Modern Times.

Or else we, too, could find ourselves trapped in the machine.