Ruthless Automation is a Double-Edged Sword: Introducing Responsible Automation

The importance of responsible automation is crucial. While automation can bring efficiencies and cost savings, a narrow focus on these immediate gains can adversely impact organizational culture, employee well-being, society, and the environment.

SwissCognitive Guest Blogger:  Utpal Chakraborty, Chief Digital Officer, Allied Digital Services Ltd., AI & Quantum Scientist – “Ruthless Automation is like a Double-Edged Sword: Introducing Responsible Automation“

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Automation undoubtedly offers a multitude of benefits for organizations, ranging from increased efficiency and productivity to cost savings and reduced human error. As a supporter of responsible automation, I believe that when implemented thoughtfully and ethically, automation can not only drive growth and competitiveness for businesses but also create opportunities for employees to focus on higher value, creative, and strategic tasks. By prioritizing a human-centric approach and ensuring that the long-term impact on employees, society, ecology; responsible automation can lead to a more sustainable and equitable future. In essence, striking the right balance between harnessing the power of automation and preserving the human element is key to unlocking the full potential of technology while fostering a positive and lasting impact on the world.

Unfortunately, we are witnessing a growing trend of automation being implemented across various industries and organizations with the primary intention of cost-cutting and FTE reduction. While these objectives may deliver short-term benefits but such a narrow focus on immediate gains can lead to numerous adverse impacts on the organization’s culture, employee well-being and even society & humanity at large. Ruthless automation that neglects to consider the broader consequences can create an environment of uncertainty, reduced morale and diminished trust among employees who may fear for their job security.

The disadvantages of this type of ruthless automation extend beyond the organization itself, as it can also have harmful effects on society. Furthermore, when automation is implemented without proper consideration for its conservation impact, it can contribute to resource depletion, IT ecosystem contamination and other ecological issues. It may also introduce more vulnerability into the automation landscape for bad actors to take advantage of and land cyber-attacks easily.  The short-sighted pursuit of cost savings and efficiency through automation can create a cascade of negative consequences that ultimately undermine the long-term sustainability and success of organizations and the communities they serve. It is, therefore, crucial for organizations to adopt a more responsible and holistic approach to automation that takes into account the wider implications for both their internal culture and the external world.

Responsible Automation emphasizes the need to consider the long-term consequences of implementing automated systems rather than solely focusing on short-term cost savings. This approach ensures that the adoption of automation technologies is carried out in a manner that balances efficiency gains with the broader social, economic, and ecological impacts. By taking a holistic view of automation, organizations can make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of their employees, the communities they serve and the environment they operate in.

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