The Future of Technologists in an Automated World

The Future of Technologists in an Automated World

Machines stealing jobs is not a new concept. Automation has happened before with the industrial revolution. But what’s different this time? First of all, blue collar workers are not the only ones who are being affected. Lawyers are being replaced by AI-powered platforms for legal contract reviews and doctors are being replaced through machine driven surgeries. Secondly, “non-routine work” can now be automated (in addition to routine work) with AI allowing for a variety of tasks to be continuously improved.

While this poses questions across all sectors, economists estimate that technology has always been creating more jobs than it destroyed. Thus, if technologists adapt accordingly, automation could create an opportunity for a growth strategy.

Still, achieving the optimal mix of human and machine labour across the workforce will depend on fostering both technical and creative skills. Is management learning how to delegate tasks to robots in order to allow technologists to focus on higher value activities?

• How do you envision the role of the CTO changing in the coming 5 years?
• How should companies encourage the use of platforms for collaborative work among technologists?
• How should technologists adapt to the growing demand for creative thinking skills?
• To what extent can robots help transform the service sector?