Importance of Responsible Automation
Published on : Thursday 04-05-2023
Ruthless automation that neglects to consider the broader consequences can create an environment of uncertainty, says Utpal Chakraborty.
Automation undoubtedly offers a multitude of benefits for the organisations, ranging from increased efficiency and productivity to cost savings and reduced human error. As a supporter of responsible automation, I believe that when implemented thoughtfully and ethically, automation can not only drive growth and competitiveness for businesses but also create opportunities for employees to focus on higher value, creative, and strategic tasks. By prioritising a human-centric approach and ensuring that the long-term impact on employees, society, ecology; responsible automation can lead to a more sustainable and equitable future. In essence, striking the right balance between harnessing the power of automation and preserving the human element is key to unlocking the full potential of technology while fostering a positive and lasting impact on the world.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing a growing trend of automation being implemented across various industries and organisations with the primary intention of cost-cutting and FTE reduction. While these objectives may deliver short-term benefits, such a narrow focus on immediate gains can lead to numerous adverse impacts on the organisation's culture, employee well-being and even society and humanity at large. Ruthless automation that neglects to consider the broader consequences can create an environment of uncertainty, reduced morale and diminished trust among employees who may fear for their job security.
The disadvantages of this type of ruthless automation extend beyond the organisation itself, as it can also have harmful effects on society. Furthermore, when automation is implemented without proper consideration for its conservation impact, it can contribute to resource depletion, IT ecosystem contamination and other ecological issues. It may also introduce more vulnerability into the automation landscape for bad actors to take advantage of and land cyber-attacks easily. The short-sighted pursuit of cost savings and efficiency through automation can create a cascade of negative consequences that ultimately undermine the long-term sustainability and success of organisations and the communities they serve. It is therefore crucial for organisations to adopt a more responsible and holistic approach to automation that takes into account the wider implications for both their internal culture and the external world.
Responsible automation emphasizes the need to consider the long-term consequences of implementing automated systems, rather than solely focusing on short-term cost savings. This approach ensures that the adoption of automation technologies is carried out in a manner that balances efficiency gains with the broader social, economic, and ecological impacts. By taking a holistic view of automation, organisations can make informed decisions that prioritise the well-being of their employees, the communities they serve and the environment they operate in.
At AI for India, we believe that ethical and responsible automation has the potential to revolutionise industries, empower communities, and contribute to a better future for everyone. Our work in partnering with organisations, enterprises, and government departments has led to significant improvements in various sectors, showcasing the power of automation when implemented with a focus on ethics and responsibility.
Utpal Chakraborty is Chief Digital Officer at Allied Digital Services Ltd. A former Head of
Artificial Intelligence at YES Bank, he is an eminent AI, Quantum and Data Scientist, AI researcher and Strategist, having 21 years of industry experience, including working as Principal Architect in L&T Infotech, IBM, Capgemini and other MNCs in his past assignments.
Utpal is a well-known writer (author of 7 books) Web3 & Blockchain researcher, and speaker on Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Agile & Lean at TEDx and conferences around the world.
His recent research on machine learning titled “Layered Approximation for Deep Neural
Networks” has been appreciated in different premier conferences, institutions, and universities.
