Future Of Work: What�s The Point Of Automation? - Deputy (2024)

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The 4 goals of automation in business

Just about every automation revolution has shared four simple goals:

  1. Speed up common tasks to lift productivity – get a lot more done with existing resources
  2. Reduce mistakes or errors – ideally improve quality of output too
  3. Improve safety for humans (including workers, customers, general public)
  4. Free up humans so they can focus on higher-value work – how much more creative or customer-focused can you be when you outsource record keeping, time tracking and other simple tasks?

The automation goal that could change your career path is the second – reduce mistakes or errors – because thanks to rapidly evolving artificial intelligences, jobs that involve complicated decision-making might soon be automated. Even CEOs could end up stepping aside for AI.

The fourth goal of automation – to free up humans so they can focus on higher-value work – is the main reason Deputy exists, though of course we also work hard to help businesses address the others.

Interestingly, the things that make a task tedious can also make it easier to automate. This is because the more repetitive, rules-based and predictable a task, the fewer variables need to be built into a machine’s movement, routine or programming so it can perform accurately and frequently.

Yet we also want to automate some tasks that are mostly routine but actually have huge numbers of variables, precisely because they’re time consuming for us

> Find out which jobs are being automated in ‘The future of work part 1: Will robots steal your job?’

> Learn some career survival tactics in ‘The future of work part 3: The case for humans (& how to beat the machines’

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The information contained in this article is general in nature and you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs. Legal and other matters referred to in this article are of a general nature only and are based on Deputy's interpretation of laws existing at the time and should not be relied on in place of professional advice. Deputy is not responsible for the content of any site owned by a third party that may be linked to this article and no warranty is made by us concerning the suitability, accuracy or timeliness of the content of any site that may be linked to this article. Deputy disclaims all liability (except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded) for any error, inaccuracy, or omission from the information contained in this article and any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.

Future Of Work: What�s The Point Of Automation? - Deputy (1)

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Future Of Work: What�s The Point Of Automation? - Deputy (2024)

FAQs

What is the future of automation in the workplace? ›

Here's another way to look at it: 30 percent of tasks in 60 percent of jobs can be automated. Many believe that by 2030, automation will displace 15 percent of personnel worldwide. That statistic includes physical jobs, structured jobs, and routine tasks for about half of what people do.

What is the point of automation? ›

The benefits of automated operations are higher productivity, reliability, availability, increased performance, and reduced operating costs. Moving to lights-out operations yields a good return on investment.

What is the future of the automation industry? ›

The future of automation is one in which machines become increasingly intelligent, adaptable, and autonomous. This will be driven by advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, which are making it possible to automate tasks that were once thought to be the exclusive domain of human workers.

What is the ultimate goal of automation? ›

The main goal of automation is to improve efficiency, accuracy, and speed in business processes, ultimately leading to increased productivity and reduced costs.

Why automation technology is important for the future of work? ›

Increased efficiency: Automation streamlines processes, eliminating human error and reducing the time required to complete tasks. Machines can work continuously, improving efficiency and enabling businesses to operate round the clock.

What is automation in the workplace? ›

Workplace automation refers to using systems to perform predictable and repetitive tasks without direct human input. This enables companies to simplify tasks and provide a better experience for their employees.

What are some examples of automation? ›

Automation includes using various equipment and control systems such as factory processes, machinery, boilers, heat-treating ovens, steering, etc. Examples of automation range from a household thermostat to a large industrial control system, self-driven vehicles, and warehousing robots.

Is automation good or bad? ›

Advantages commonly attributed to automation include higher production rates and increased productivity, more efficient use of materials, better product quality, improved safety, shorter workweeks for labour, and reduced factory lead times.

How will automation change the future? ›

The changing nature of labour is one of the most fundamental ways AI and automation will affect the future of work. As AI systems automate more processes, they will displace human workers, making some professions obsolete while generating new ones.

What will be the impact of automation on future workforce? ›

Here are some of the ways automation is impacting workforce management and the future of work: Improved efficiency: Automation can streamline repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as scheduling, time tracking, and payroll, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and with greater accuracy.

How automation will shape the future? ›

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are quickly transforming the world of work and society at large. These technologies have the potential to create new value for businesses, boost economic growth, improve healthcare outcomes, extend human lifespan, and address some of the most pressing global challenges.

Why is automation important in industry? ›

Automation allows businesses to produce goods and services at a faster rate, with greater consistency and accuracy. This means that manufacturing tasks can be performed at a much higher level than what a human worker could do, leading to faster production times and increased output.

How does automation improve quality? ›

Automation improves quality in a number of ways: eliminating human error, improving consistency and accuracy, giving the ability to create more complex goods, and identifying errors along the way.

What is the future scope of automation? ›

Future Scope of Automation:

With all its advantages, automation leads to streamlined and efficient production, with reduced operating costs, faster production speeds, and higher production quality.

How do you think automation will impact the workforce in the next 10 years? ›

PwC estimates that by the mid-2030s, up to 30% of jobs could be automatable, with slightly more men being affected in the long run as autonomous vehicles and other machines replace many manual tasks where their share of employment is higher.

Is there future in automation? ›

The future of automation testing is quite bright and has a lot of potential for growth. Automation testing is becoming increasingly important as software development continues to evolve and become more complex.

How will automation affect the future? ›

The implementation of automation can bring many benefits, such as increased productivity, efficiency, and improved quality and safety. However, it also poses challenges and potential negative impacts on the economy and job market. Automation can lead to job displacement, income inequality, and dependency on technology.

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