Business owners told: Brace for co-working with robots
Technology trailblazer Accenture is urging business organizations to prepare their workforce to work in tandem with machines or the Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This is one of the calls made by Accenture Philippines country managing director Lito T. Tayag, as recent Accenture Strategy report highlighted the rise of AI or machine augmented intelligence in the working places all over the world.
In a tele-press conference held recently at the Accenture office at Robinsons Cybergate, Tayag reminded business owners to make technology investments as top priority otherwise they will have to face the dangerous risks of disruption under the digital age.
Cebu in particular, which has reportedly shown lower appreciation of technology adaption among companies, should shape up in this area and business owners should consider full technology adaption as a urgent priority.
"We need to accelerate the acceptance of the reality. This is something very important for them to do," urged Tayag, noting that if a company (regardless of size) for instance fails to combine intelligent technology to augment the human capabilities, it will have to suffer the brunt of disruption.
"The future is in human and machine collaboration," Tayag said explaining further that while we like it or not, the human and machine tandem is shaping the future of workforce.
Tayag maintains that the entry intelligent machines to the working force does not threaten the job opportunities of humans, however it will augment human capabilities.
In the newly released Accenture Strategy report, the technology giant and world's digital thought leader, gave out three important recommendations which would help organizations ride well in the midst of digital revolution. These are to; Re-imagine work; pivot the workforce; and scale up 'New Skilling."
Re-imagining work is a recommendation that calls companies to reconfigure work flow from bottom up, which means assessing tasks, not jobs; allocate tasks to machines and people, balancing the need to automate work and elevate people's capabilities.
The need for companies to pivot the workforce is another imperative change to be implemented. This is to be open to new forms of value. Foster a new leadership DNA that underpins the mindset, acumen and agility required to seize longerterm, transformational opportunities.
Flexibility and upscaling of skills is another golden rule that should be adapted by companies who want to stay in the new business environment. This is a move to measure the workforce's level in skills and willingness to learn to work with AI.
The report revealed that stronger commitment to AI could boost revenues by 38 percent, employment by 10 percent by 2022.
The research entitled "Reworking the Revolution: Are you ready to compete as intelligent technology meets human ingenuity to create future workforce?", further warned that businesses risk missing major growth opportunities unless CEOs ( chief executive officers ) take immediate steps to pivot their workforces and equip their people to work with intelligent technologies.
The report estimates that if businesses invest in AI and human-machine collaboration at the same rate as top performing companies, these could boost revenues. Collectively, this would lift profits by US$4.8 trillion globally by 2022.
"Business leaders must take immediate steps to pivot their workforce to enter an entirely new world where human ingenuity meets intelligent technology to unlock new forms of growth," said Ellyn Shook, Accenture chief leadership and human resource officer.