Download the MP3 | Run Time: 12:17

Suzi Alligood, Molly Kelley and Brandon Laws of Xenium HR discuss how cognitive technology and increased automation is changing the workplace. During the episode they talk about the changing workplace, how we should adapt, and what trends to look forward to.

Resources:

“Cognitive Technology: The rise of ‘bionic brains'” by Tom Davenport (LinkedIn Article)

“What will future jobs look like?” by Andrew McAfee (TED Talk)

“Maybe HR’s Focus Should Be Less Human” by Edward D. Hess (HR Magazine Article)

Suzi: Hello everyone, this is Suzi Alligood and I have Brandon and Molly joining me. Today I’d like to have a discussion about the increase in technology and what the future of work will look like, specifically around cognitive technology and artificial intelligence, and how that is going to impact our jobs. There’s a lot of press out there in talk about how jobs are going to decline and droids are taking over our jobs, so clearly there are some concerns around how that’s going to impact individuals in the economy and in society as well. I’d watched a TED talk by economist Andrew McAfee and he brought up some interesting points about how there are a lot of positive things associated with this whole technology revolution, but also how there are some things that we should be mindful of and consider.
Anyway, I just wanted to get your thoughts initially on this whole concept of whether machines and droids will be taking over our jobs! [Laughing]
Brandon: Yeah, this is a topic that I’ve been following closely for a couple years, as I pay attention to economics. Undoubtedly, jobs will be destroyed because of this, but I think new ones will be created. There are some articles that actually support that TED talk and really talk about those who can think critically and do things that machines can’t. If you think about it, machines can do what we as humans can do up to this point. They have all the knowledge and capabilities we do—up to this point. For those who have special skills and critical thinking ability, machines can’t match that. And I think there will always be new jobs created based on that progression, and if you think about it, as a society, that moves us a lot further. So I think that these things, overall, are good. I don’t know what it’s going to do to the overall job market and what that does to folks that are in certain fields. What do you both think?
Molly: I think you’re right. I would also say, as an advocate for dinosaurs—because I am one, I still print everything to read it all on paper, as you both know—that what I’m hearing is that one of the major trends for the future when you’re looking at what students are being educated on and what parents should be focusing on, it’s emotional intelligence. And that can’t be, so far, replicated by machines. So I think about that in terms of the managers we work with, the supervisors. Hopefully it’ll free us up to spend more time on relationships which, for me, is reassuring to know that dinosaurs like me will still have a place in this new world!
Suzi: One of the things that was interesting that McAfee has brought up was that humans are creating the technology, so we’re creating this artificial intelligence. In terms of the value, you’re creating all these algorithms to do all this reasoning and trouble-shooting and problem solving, which is realistically going to take the place of some of these knowledge-worker jobs. But the other aspect he brought up was that that doesn’t necessarily replace the values that are incorporated into some of the decisions. It’s basically dependent on the values of the person or programmer or creator of that technology. I thought that was kind of an interesting point. But it was clear to me that there’s technology that can do pretty much anything a human can do when you look at creativity and reasoning—and sometimes they can do it better. They’re more efficient, objective, and provide scientific data behind reasoning. I definitely think that we need to accept and embrace that and know that jobs may not necessarily go away, like you said Brandon, but we need to adapt and look at what those new jobs are going to be and then make sure that we’re preparing our younger generation to have those skills to be able to take those jobs. So getting technology into the schools is a big one, regardless of socioeconomic background, that’s got to be a huge initiative so that people are prepared. Because if you have a large portion of people, for example the middle class, who are driving the economy and purchasing things, if they lose their jobs and they’re unemployed, not only does that have some negative societal impacts, but that also affects our overall economy, at least from what we’ve experienced so far.
Brandon: You know, I’ll be curious to see where this all goes, but I think that those who can adapt to technology and can use it will be better off long term. So, to your point, if we can get the children using technology sooner and if in our workplaces we can teach people to use technology, I think that it’ll be easier as more things become automated. Because then that frees you up to maybe do things you were never able to do in the past.
So I don’t know. I’m optimistic, honestly, about where the future’s going. I also like a lot of the automations, as it frees you up to do things and adds leisure time.
Suzi: I think that is a clear benefit, greater efficiencies and more leisure time. I know that my son, who’s in the next generation that hasn’t been labeled yet, he’s more concerned about his job being fun than making money or working long hours. So I could see where that all might come together. I do think we need to start preparing now, either through education or by having these discussions. So to prepare for any negative impact.
Molly: I guess I would be fine with that, but to again express my fears as the dinosaur here, as a parent of a five-year-old, it’s been a real challenge for us to try to find a balance with providing technology to Liam at this stage. It just takes off, and does it take control and precedent over other relationships? I’m sure we’ve all had the experience of going into a meeting and having every individual in a twelve person meeting on their phone for a few minutes. Or, we went out to dinner this weekend and when you’re sitting there at a restaurant and the family next to you are all looking at their phones or on an iPad or plugged into their podcast. The family dinner has been replaced by multimedia hour.
I’m excited about the future, I embrace it fully, but I still hope there’s that focus on the relationship. It winds up freeing us up from the less fun aspects while hopefully allowing us more time to focus on people.

I’m excited about the future, I embrace it fully, but I still hope there’s that focus on the relationship. It winds up freeing us up from the less fun aspects while hopefully allowing us more time to focus on people.
-Molly Kelley

Brandon: I love what you just said there, because I also see the societal trend of people being glued to their phones at a dinner table. Wouldn’t you think that over time as we’re so adapted to technology and are all glued to our phones and laptops, those who can connect with people better—that emotional intelligence piece— actually becomes more important long term, and more valuable as a skill.
Molly: Yes, I would hope so.
Suzi: It’s in our DNA as human beings to connect with other individuals. And we see, in the work that we do, that when people struggle with their own self-awareness and their inability to vocalize what they’re feeling and what they need, that’s where conflicts arise. So I agree with you. I think that in terms of learning and development, the two top trends are technology but also balancing that with emotional intelligence skills. I think that’s why there’s this big movement with mindfulness as well as emotional intelligence. Helping especially the younger generation, which is so plugged into technology, develop their verbal skills as well is important.
Molly: Very true. And hopefully writing.
Brandon: I think with this technology piece, we immediately think of cell phones and iPads. But technology stretches all across the workplace. Before we started recording, I was talking about driverless cars, and that’s a whole topic that’s coming out right now. It’s going to happen. So if you think about it from the positives and negatives of it, a positive that you, Molly, were just sharing was that if your car was driving you to work, you’d probably sit with your son and play in the back.
Molly: Right!
Brandon: That’s time that you’re getting back. Or, vice versa, you can sit with your laptop and do a Skype meeting with some business associates.
Molly: To shorten your day.
Brandon: It would shorten your day! You’re getting time back that you didn’t have before. I think from a productivity standpoint, it makes us all more productive. The negative side is, I mentioned truck driver and taxi driver jobs being eliminated.
Molly: I think another part of that is when you ask me if I have an hour, because my car’s driving itself to work, how would I spend it? Likely, I would spend it on email. But  that doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m going to shorten my day in response. So is maybe the work day going to become longer?
Brandon: That’s a good point!
Molly: That’s the conversation Suzi was having about mindfulness. How do you spend that time and are you achieving that balance?
Brandon: That’s what economics is all about. Scarcity is really where economics comes from. You have a pie, you have this much time in the day, it’s the highest and best use—how are you using those resources? If you had that hour, and you were using it to drive before and now you’re reading a book for development purposes, aren’t you better off?
Molly: Absolutely! Versus email, potentially, where I’m still going to be spending nine to ten hours of work.
Brandon: You’d have been doing that anyway, so you just gave that hour back.
I think this whole topic is so interesting. I think it makes us better off overall, but time will tell. Hopefully we’re not plugged into the Matrix.
Molly: Stay tuned for five years from now! [Laughing]
Suzi: Great, great talk!