Throughout history, technology has shown its power to transform civilization.
In the 15th century, the movable type printing press radically accelerated the publication of written materials and the literacy of society at large. Today, artificial intelligence is bringing comparable change to business—and the "managed convergence" of AI with human skills is leading us to the cusp of an exciting new era.
Rather than threaten jobs, the automation technology has often proven the opposite, creating more jobs. In his guidebook Learning by Doing: The Real Connection between Innovation, Wages, and Wealth, economist James Bessen offers many examples, including the adoption of automated teller machines (ATMs).
In the mid-1990s, the explosion of ATMs led people to assume that bank teller jobs would severely decline. Though Initially ATMs reduced the number of bank tellers per branch in urban areas, but they made it cheaper to operate branches. So banks saw value in opening new branch offices; as a result, teller jobs on the whole increased.
That sort of positive take is echoed by technologist Marc Andreesen. The principles outlined in his "Techno-Optimist Manifesto" embrace the long-term view that human civilization was built "on a spirit of discovery, of exploration, of industrialization."
Among the manifesto's forward-tilting affirmations:
- "We believe intelligence is the ultimate engine of progress."
- "We believe Artificial Intelligence is best thought of as a universal problem solver—and we have a lot of problems to solve."
- "We believe...that people are the ultimate resource. With more people come more creativity, more new ideas, and more technological progress."
Recognizing and Elevating Human Skills in the Era of AI
Business leaders are similarly recognizing their employees as the ultimate resource. Close to 65% of HR managers say the most crucial skills for success in the AI era will be "digital, interpersonal, and cognitive," spanning such in-demand skills as problem-solving, originality, integrity, and the ability to learn.
Speakers at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting pinpointed creative and critical thinking, which allows people to view situations from many perspectives, evaluate a breadth of information, and make informed decisions.
Recognizing that technology streamlines operations and improves efficiencies, leaders know employees will have more time for strategy and innovation.
In bookkeeping, for example, automation is helping eliminate the mind-numbing task of looking at two reports side by side to make sure they match line by line. Accountants now have more time to focus on strategic counsel for their clients.
And despite the ability of AI to assess mountains of data and recognize patterns, the trait of human intuition is still prized by business leaders, both as a skill to navigate uncertainty, such as in the AI era, and as a nonbinary tool that helps spark innovation.
In his essay "How To Do Great Work," computer scientist, entrepreneur, and writer Paul Graham verifies the connection between innovation and the right set of techniques and skills. Praising the creative power of curiosity to feed originality "by giving it new things to work on," he sees the business value of curiosity to fuel questions as originality fuels answers.
Graham also notes that great work can result from seeking out the best colleagues. "There are a lot of projects that can't be done alone," writes Graham. "And even if you're working on one that can be, it's good to have other people to encourage you and to bounce ideas off."
Five Tips for Cultivating a People-Centric Company Culture
To help facilitate our new era of transformation, here are five tips for cultivating and nurturing a people-centric company culture amid technological advancements.
1. Champion a tech-optimistic mindset
Leaders should inspire their teams to recognize technology as an enabler of creativity and productivity.
Regularly find ways to identify and communicate the potential of new technologies. Highlight success stories and case studies both within and outside the company.
A tech-optimistic mindset fosters a work environment where employees are excited to explore new tools and techniques, driving a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
2. Foster meaningful human connections
Encourage collaboration and communication across all levels of the organization, getting employees out of their departmental silos.
Use collaborative digital tools that facilitate those connections. Create opportunities for employees to connect, share ideas, and build relationships, whether through brainstorm meetings, work competitions, or social events (think company-sponsored cocktail hours or athletic fun, like softball leagues or hiking/biking outings that build camaraderie).
3. Promote flexibility in work models
As tech enables remote and hybrid work models, organizations that adapt to accommodate diverse working preferences reap higher job satisfaction and productivity.
Provide employees options for greater flexibility. Develop clear guidelines and support systems for remote and hybrid work.
Invest in technology that facilitates seamless collaboration and ensures all employees, regardless of location, feel connected and valued.
4. Empower Employees with autonomy and responsibility
Great work often emerges from environments in which employees feel a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Fueled by AI-driven platforms to explore new ideas and fresh approaches, leaders can foster innovation by providing the resources and support to turn those ideas into reality.
Then recognize individual and team achievements to reinforce the value of autonomy.
5. Cultivate a culture of ongoing learning
Encourage employees to stay curious and invest in their professional development. Offer access to training programs, workshops, and other resources that keep all staff up-to-date with the latest industry trends and advancements.
Encourage knowledge-sharing through internal seminars, mentorship programs, and cross-functional projects.
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Developing a people-centric corporate culture depends on visionary leaders in every field.
The promise of a future that solves universal problems—and carries our civilization into the stars—relies both on tech-enabled intelligence as "the ultimate engine of progress" and on people as "the ultimate resource."
More Resources on AI and the Human Element
When AI Is Too Much: How to Balance Human and AI Marketing
How a Mix of Artificial and Human Intelligence Can Create Balance
