With the heavy media coverage and spotlight on manufacturing jobs and automation, it’s a good time to consider different perspectives and action plans such as the ones presented in the book Only Humans Need Apply (May 2016). From HarperCollins: “In Only Humans Need Apply, Thomas Hayes Davenport and Julia Kirby reframe the conversation about automation, arguing that the future of increased productivity and business success isn’t either human or machine. It’s both. The key is augmentation, utilizing technology to help humans work better, smarter, and faster.”
Convincing people that automation is a good thing usually requires pointing out how it frees humans from jobs that are dull, dirty and dangerous. But, what happens when automation is better at making decisions, and replaces knowledge workers?
Chapter 1, Are Computers Coming After Your Job? could be disillusioning, particularly if you don’t score well on “Ten Reasons to Look Over Your Shoulder.” Jobs with tasks that involve transmitting content, answering data-dependent questions, and eight other factors are top candidates for automation.
Kirby and Davenport say that knowledge workers have five “steps” they can opt to take regarding automation: up, aside, in, narrowly, or forward. Each of these steps has an entire chapter devoted to it. Stepping “up” is where managers who successfully implement automated systems fall. Those who step up will be making augmentation decisions, and determining how and where automation will be used.
Only Humans Need Apply explores issues and raises questions of great interest to managers tasked with implementing automation. The concepts and ideas presented can assist anyone who needs to consider not just the return on investment but also the social impact of automation.
For anyone who believes that wait and see what happens is not a good strategy, Only Humans Need Apply explains the benefits of augmentation, provides examples, and offers discussion topics to inspire action. Knowledge workers are well-advised to take steps now and prepare strategically to have many of their tasks automated.
Davenport, Thomas H.; Kirby, Julia. Only Humans Need Apply: Winners and Losers in the Age of Smart Machines. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. (1) p. 23 (2): p. 228