This essay analyses artificial intelligence (AI) and aims to discuss the impact of future technologies on current work and organisations and how they will affect management decision making. In light of this, I will examine how humans perform better with the help of machines, which fields humans cannot (yet) be replaced in and how human and machine intelligence can be combined to create opportunities for technological amplification.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is evolving fast and is shaking up work and organisations. The term is commonly defined as the “work processes of machines that would require intelligence if performed by humans”. With computers, algorithms, and software optimising workflow every day, it is hard to imagine how life would be managed without them. While AI is increasingly taking on human tasks, there is hardly an industry that will remain untouched by the progressive technological development.
The strong influence of AI on the workforce poses a challenge to managers as how to handle and integrate new technologies into the workforce, maintaining effective organisations.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Comparative Advantages of Humans and Machines
3. Impact of AI on Specific Professions and Industries
4. Changing Roles and Responsibilities in Management
5. Future Outlook and Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on work processes and organizational structures, specifically examining how human and machine capabilities can be synthesized to enhance management decision-making and overall productivity.
- The complementary nature of human judgement and machine data processing.
- The historical context of technological unemployment and job evolution.
- Transformation of specific professional fields, such as auditing, through automation.
- The shifting responsibilities of managers in an AI-driven environment.
- Strategies for fostering effective human-machine collaboration in the workplace.
Excerpt from the Book
Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Auditing and Professional Responsibilities
Humans are adaptable, and people in organisations will adjust to technological progress. While some jobs will become obsolete and others will emerge, the majority of professions will go through significant changes. The field of audit is one of them, as discussed by Julia Kokina and Thomas H. Davenport in ‘The Emerge of Artificial Intelligence: How Automation is Changing Auditing’ (Kokina & Davenport, 2017). The paper gives an overview of the impact of AI on accounting and auditing, the implication of how new technology will change current responsibilities, as well as industry examples. For many years already, the field of audit has been supported by technology. A big part of the responsibilities of an auditor includes analyzing numbers, i.e. algebraic analysis, which is progressively undertaken by business intelligence and supported by analytical programs to visualise results (Kokina & Davenport, 2017). Non-routine cognitive tasks, which would usually be labour-intense if performed by humans, are more and more guided by AI-fueled programs (Frey & Osborne, 2013). Thus, the job of an auditor will have lower focus on the ticking and tying process and greater focus on the bigger picture painted by data (Kokina & Davenport, 2017). I believe, with the industry changing, managers have to understand the newly arising responsibilities and skills for successful auditing. That includes working alongside AI computers and algorithms to monitor their performance in internal and external audit processes, evaluating results, and also carrying out such tasks that cannot be conducted by AI assistance, e.g. client communication or translating audit and financial results for senior staff and board members (Kokina & Davenport, 2017).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The chapter defines AI in the context of work processes and outlines the paper's goal to examine how machines and humans can effectively collaborate to create organizational value.
2. Comparative Advantages of Humans and Machines: This section contrasts the data-processing efficiency of machines with human traits like creativity, judgement, and contextual understanding, arguing for their complementarity.
3. Impact of AI on Specific Professions and Industries: This chapter analyzes historical trends in technological unemployment and discusses the high automation potential of routine-based roles, such as auditing, versus complex, human-centric professions.
4. Changing Roles and Responsibilities in Management: The chapter details how managers must shift their focus from administrative tasks to human-centric judgement and team supervision as AI handles routine operations.
5. Future Outlook and Conclusion: This section summarizes the revolutionary potential of AI, emphasizing that the future of work relies on successful integration and human-machine cooperation.
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence, Workforce, Management, Automation, Technological Development, Human-Machine Collaboration, Auditing, Decision Making, Productivity, Job Displacement, Skill Evolution, Leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this essay?
This essay examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping contemporary work and organizational structures, specifically looking at how management and professional roles are evolving in the face of new technology.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include the comparison of human versus machine capabilities, the potential for technological unemployment, the automation of professional fields like auditing, and the changing nature of managerial leadership.
What is the author's central research objective?
The essay aims to explore how human and machine intelligence can be combined to achieve technological amplification and how managers can effectively integrate AI into the workplace.
Which scientific or analytical approach does the author use?
The author uses a literature-based analytical approach, drawing on current studies, organizational theories, and professional reports to synthesize existing knowledge on the impact of AI in business.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body evaluates the complementary strengths of humans and machines, analyzes the specific job displacement risks in various industries, and proposes strategies for managers to adapt to new responsibilities.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Artificial Intelligence, Workforce, Automation, Human-Machine Collaboration, Management, Productivity, and Skill Evolution.
How does the author specifically view the future of the auditing profession?
The author believes auditors will move away from repetitive "ticking and tying" tasks and toward more strategic roles, focusing on interpreting data and communicating complex results to senior management.
Why does the author advocate for human-machine collaboration?
The author argues that machines are better at processing large datasets accurately without fatigue, while humans provide the necessary judgement, context, and creative decision-making that machines currently lack.
What advice does the essay provide for future managers?
Managers are advised to embrace new technologies, rethink their operational principles, prioritize human-centric judgement skills, and foster a work environment that encourages collaboration between humans and AI systems.
- Citar trabajo
- Ariane Holz (Autor), 2018, Artificial Intelligence in Business. Reshaping work and organizations, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/482992
