Why humans will always remain key to the future of work

As automation fanatics, we can tell you all about how automation can help companies grow by making their operations more efficient and future-proof. But where does that leave humans? The way we see it, humans will always be essential to the way we work. In fact, they will have a more important role than ever in the automated economy.

Automation on the fast track

The last few years have created a perfect storm of factors leading to the acceleration of automation in a wide range of industries. The ripeness of technologies from AI to video conferencing ensured that many companies could stay standing despite having employees at home or absent due to COVID-19. As the pandemic has slowly come to an end, we find ourselves in a business landscape marked by severe labor shortages. Although there are concerns about automation taking over certain jobs, the bigger problem right now is certainly that there are not enough skilled people available to meet the needs of companies.

Automation is seen as a rescue for companies struggling to recruit adequate staff. It is also a way to future-proof companies and make them more resilient through whatever comes their way. This includes not only issues of public health, but also supply chain issues aggravated by pandemics, conflict and climate change. The drive to future-proof has driven companies to make the shift and reap the rewards of automation. Companies that have gone ahead and adopted new technologies have realized that machines can do many tasks faster and better. The tide has definitely turned, and there’s no going back. But where does that leave humans?

The employment revolution

Big changes in labor markets are always sure to cause upheaval and stress about the future. There is no doubt that many individual lives have been turned upside down by the embrace of new technologies. But in the end we do not want to go back to the time where we had to buy paper airplane tickets from travel agents or give up the convenience of online shopping. And if people can find new ways of using their talents and skills, most will be happy to leave the most dull and repetitive jobs behind.

The employment revolution isn’t a simple story about workers being laid off as factories streamline and robots take over certain jobs. The actual shortage of workers in many sectors has coincided with the Great Resignation, where many people have just had enough. What have they had enough of? Well, being asked to work like robots. Squeezed in a corner, doing work that doesn’t challenge their minds, expected to be on all the time. So what if we leave the robot work to the robots, and find a new role for humans?

Humans matter more than ever

It takes some vision and strategic investment, but we can reimagine the labor market to work better for humans all around. Automation can be used to create time for humans to do the things they are best at: relating, creating, problem-solving. If human capital is unleashed to focus only on where people add value, the possibilities are truly staggering. It opens up a very exciting new world. Companies that only use tech to control and dehumanize their workers are doomed to extinction. Companies that are smart about using their humans wisely are going to be more attractive to workers, and they are going to have a better chance at surviving.

Finally, we need to talk about skills. The need to reskill and upskill is one of the biggest single labor market issues today. This includes “hard” technical skills as well as “soft” or human skills. All this new tech demands specialized knowledge of computers, programming, software, database management and more. At the same time, social skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving and critical thinking skills are more important than ever. It is becoming clear that workers who possess both sets of skills will be both in high demand in the evolving workplace and be the most able to adapt to any changes that may come. While automation is the future, investing in humans is still our best move.

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