Automation does not mean exclusion: The role of AI in job security

Despite the current widespread acceptance of technologies such as video conferencing and messaging platforms adopted during mandatory remote work, some workers remain wary of technology. Only 50% of employees believe technology is a powerful asset to efficiency, according to a new survey.

IT teams are now driving the organization’s adoption of technology innovations, with IT optimization set to become the third largest AI use case by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 29.7%. But with pop culture spreading doom and pessimism about the role of AI in taking jobs, does this mean that IT teams should be concerned about the security of their jobs? become a victim of obsolescence by

A natural response to AI in the workforce is that machine learning (ML) can more efficiently and cost-effectively achieve core team objectives, eliminating the need for IT teams. Fear of automation is not a new concept. His 37% of workers are now worried about losing their jobs due to automation.

Automation and unemployment are not synonymous

But they can rest easy. The truth is, automation doesn’t lead to job losses in our view. It may be the other way around. In South Korea, the world’s most automated country, the unemployment rate hit a record low in August 2022. The next two most automated countries, Singapore and Japan, also have unemployment rates well below the global average, demonstrating automation and automation. Unemployment rate has no direct correlation.

How can you explain the discrepancy between perception and reality? It’s not unemployment. It’s the evolution of work. Automation will enable IT teams to carve out more strategic roles for themselves within the organization. AI can play a big role in reducing the amount of routine tasks that need to be completed manually, such as troubleshooting applications and responding to service tickets.

When teams spend less time on these things, they spend more time on transformational projects within the organization, such as developing new applications that enable the company to reach new markets, improving manageability, and reducing hardware costs. can do. These role changes make employees feel more fulfilled and purposeful within the organization and are seen as more valuable assets.

The question is, “How do I get there?”

The value of AI in IT

IT cannot and should not be fully automated. Employees want human interaction so that they feel heard about their problems and receive personalized support. IT employees need to leverage their greatest strengths: interpersonal communication and long-term strategy/innovation. These two concepts can never be replicated in AI.

The true value of AI is in proactively identifying problems, helping IT teams attack problems before they occur, and providing actionable insights that IT teams can leverage to optimize their systems for long-term performance. Ability.

One of the goals of AI is to improve the digital experience of employees. Employees lose long working hours due to technology issues, and morale suffers due to these issues as employees feel they are undersupported by the company.

Automation alleviates this. Detecting problems before employees flag them saves time and resources. As a result, employees feel more connected to the organization. In the long run, this slows employee turnover and supports innovation, which in turn helps explain the decline in unemployment due to automation.

So what does this mean for IT teams? The answer lies in strategy sessions with their senior leaders. The days of responding to service requests as a primary IT responsibility are fading away. With more free time, you can focus on proactive activities and strategies to improve your workflow. Automation paves the way for IT to be seen as a strategic leader rather than putting out ad hoc technical fires. IT never goes out of business. They will move the organization forward and drive digital transformation efforts.

embrace change

AI is not a threat to IT teams. Instead, you can better demonstrate your worth and importance within your organization. As tough economic times continue to be a concern, business leaders will be asking where to cut costs. Unfortunately, some companies will cut back on some jobs.

However, teams that can demonstrate their value to the organization and its bottom line may have an edge when it comes to such decisions. Instead of seeing AI as a threat, IT professionals should see it as their new favorite colleague. This frees us from the mundane tasks and allows us to focus on the things that will have the greatest impact and enable us to grow within the company.

AI does not eliminate the role of IT. that’s going to change that. Both the IT department and the organization as a whole can benefit.

Yassine Zaied is Nexthink’s Chief Strategy Officer.