This week’s curator, Cerys Hearsey, looks at some of the challenges facing leaders and managers as they build new workforce configurations integrating humans and robots. Some companies have been racing ahead, but for many this still feels like science fiction. She also shares some related guides from Shift*Base and picks 5 links for further reading on the topic.
Key Questions and Challenges for Building a Hybrid Workforce
Last year, I had the opportunity to enter both the Drucker Challenge and the Bracken Bower Prize. Being able to choose from a broad range of topic areas, I wanted to explore potential challenges for those building human-robot hybrid workforces. There has been a lot of hype and negative press about what this means for more traditional labour forces, but we are only just seeing the emergence of commentary from those who envision a more positive future. By focusing on some key challenges in creating a symbiotic working relationship, and highlighting some concrete areas of challenge, I wanted to deepen my own understanding of this area.
At the time of writing, I never imagined sharing the outputs, it was more of a personal exploration. However, having made the list of finalists for both competitions (and with a lot of encouragement from my lovely colleagues) I have created a more succinct version to share with you all!
Building, Managing and Leading a Hybrid Workforce
“In the future, when Microsoft leaves a security-flaw in their code it won’t mean that somebody hacks your computer. It will mean that somebody takes control of your servant robot and it stands in your bedroom doorway sharpening a knife and watching you sleep.”
Shift*Base Guides
Some of my favourite Shift*Base guides are examples of how employees can become multi-skilled and learn as much as possible about the organisation as a whole and its mission. For example, rotating responsibility or personnel exchange. I believe these techniques are the basis for ensuring long-term engagement with your work. Overall, an organisation that creates agility for the workforce in the form of agile teams will be an excellent environment for this.
Weekly Linklog
- Algorithms are fundamentally redefining the roles of worker and manager. Managing the Bots That Are Managing the Business
- Machines of the future won’t need to be told what to do. Robots Are Learning Complex Tasks Just by Watching Humans Do Them
- The Obama administration is vowing not to get left behind in the rush to artificial intelligence, but determining how to regulate it isn’t easy. What to Do When a Robot Is the Guilty Party
- Convenience, transparency and cost are the main things driving a tech-savvy generation to automated services. Why millennials embrace digital advisories – The Globe and Mail
- Walking across the floor of SEW-Eurodrive’s factory in Baden-Württemberg is like moving through a time warp. Meet the cobots: humans and robots together on the factory floor – FT.com
Shift*Groups Updates
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