Automation's Impact on Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities

This essay explores the multifaceted impact of automation on the modern workplace. It delves into the transformative influence of the internet and artificial intelligence (AI), examining how these technologies have reshaped work environments. The essay analyzes both the positive and negative aspects of automation, discussing increased efficiency, productivity, and new opportunities while also addressing potential challenges such as job displacement and the erosion of human interaction. It references various studies and expert opinions to provide a balanced perspective on the ongoing debate about the role of automation in the workplace. The essay highlights specific examples, such as Amazon's 'Kiva' system, to illustrate the practical implications of automation. It also touches upon broader themes like the globalization of the workforce and the evolution of customer-client relationships in the digital age. Overall, the essay provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of automation and its future implications for businesses and employees.

Running head: AUTOMATION IMPACT ON WORKPLACE
Automation Impact on Workplace
Name of the University
Name of the Student
Author note

1
AUTOMATION IMPACT ON WORKPLACE
The modern workplace has transformed in ways that was deemed unimaginable some
decades ago. The storm of globalization and technological advancement has swept away the old
established etiquettes of organizational workplace. The phenomenon known as the Internet has
reduced the workload from humans to an extent that it now confronts them as a threat rather than
a luxury. However, many experts are of the view that the internet can only reduce the workload
not the work. Debate over whether the internet has destroyed human involvement at the
workplace is ongoing and does not seem to end in near future. Wisskirchen et al. (2017), state
that the internet has the potential to change the workplace completely replacing human
workforce with Artificial Intelligence. According to the authors, all the manual work once done
by humans are now being transferred to computers that does the work in less than half the time
humans used to take. It is but also true that the influence of the internet cannot be always
perceived negatively. König and De La Guardia (2014) counter the statement arguing that the
technological advancements along with the integration of the internet have given rise to positive
competition among businesses. Every work field has been influenced positively by the internet,
which is visible from the rise in quality and productivity of the services and products. The
internet has allowed employees to manage time for socializing. The internet has enabled
employees to be flexible in time and work management. It acts as a tool for learning and
communication facilitating judicious passage of information over immeasurable geographical
distances. In a study conducted by Hashim (2015), the author found that approximately 65 to
70% employees expressed that online work greatly boosted their morale and interest in work.
The introduction of smart phones further elevated the dominance of the internet in the work
environment. The constant integration and disintegration of technology, the convergence of
technologies in a single platform revolutionized the way work is done in the 21st century. All the

2
AUTOMATION IMPACT ON WORKPLACE
information that employees look to receive or disseminate are now on their fingertips. The
internet has made the working environment hassle free. In the world of business, its influence is
the maximum. The internet has allowed businesses to reach out to customers all around the world
without being there physically.
Automation is the word that is being used to describe the dominance of the internet on
workplace. Automated workplace involves increased dependence on the internet and the AI.
Examples are in abundance that signifies the acceptance and dominance of automation in the
workplace. However, it is still a matter of extensive research whether automation would
invalidate the humans as resources or not. Experts hailing from different backgrounds differ in
views regarding the issue. Some opine that computers and the internet must not be viewed as
threats, rather as opportunities to refine individual skills and create more jobs (Fortune.com
2018). On the contrary, other experts believe that the over emphasis on the internet has reduced
human relationships into mere transactions on the virtual world. They believe that the warm
human touch is diminishing. Zaino (2018) mentioned in an article published in Forbes that
automation does not eliminate jobs; it redefines them. The author further provides instances of
different workplaces where the internet has eased the work of the employees like check-in kiosks
at airports. It allowed the workers to focus on other things and reduced the wait time for
customers as well. One of the biggest examples of automation having a positive impact on
working environment is ‘Kiva’, developed by Amazon. It helped the workers to refocus their
skills on improving company profits. Köffer et al. (2015) further support the positive influence of
the internet in the workplace by stating it has provided opportunity for young employees to
display their skills and earn a living without having to do any physical labor. In addition, the
internet has also helped in the formation of a global workplace. Companies comprise a

3
AUTOMATION IMPACT ON WORKPLACE
workforce that has a blend of both local and global employees, all thanks to the internet. Many
features of the internet like video conferencing have allowed executives to hold meetings while
on board a flight or any place where internet is available. The social media, which is also an
outcome of the internet, further eases the work for managers to communicate any issue to the
employees without the need to assemble them at one place. The internet has improved the
customer-client relationship by providing a uniform platform from where both can interact and
share their inputs for an improved work performance and satisfaction.

4
AUTOMATION IMPACT ON WORKPLACE
References:
Fortune.com (2018). Humans vs. Robots: How to Thrive in an Automated Workplace. [online]
Fortune. Available at: http://fortune.com/2017/06/30/humans-robots-job-automation-workplace/
[Accessed 1 Feb. 2018].
Hashim, J., 2015. Information communication technology (ICT) adoption among SME owners in
Malaysia. International Journal of Business and Information, 2(2).
Köffer, S., Anlauf, L., Ortbach, K. and Niehaves, B., 2015, May. The Intensified Blurring of
Boundaries Between Work and Private Life through IT Consumerisation. In ECIS.
König, C.J. and De La Guardia, M.E.C., 2014. Exploring the positive side of personal internet
use at work: Does it help in managing the border between work and nonwork?. Computers in
Human Behavior, 30, pp.355-360.
Wisskirchen, G., Biacabe, B.T., Bormann, U., Muntz, A., Niehaus, G., Soler, G.J. and von
Brauchitsch, B., 2017. Artificial intelligence and robotics and their impact on the workplace. The
International Bar Association Global Employment Institute (IBA GEI).
Zaino, G. (2018). Forbes Welcome. [online] Forbes.com. Available at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2017/05/02/the-impact-of-
automation-on-the-independent-workforce/#5a1201e375c5 [Accessed 1 Feb. 2018].