Are machines better than humans?

Yes and No, it depends on what needs to be done, because there is a place and time for both.

As a rule, nowadays, if the task is routine and had a step-by-step logic that can be programmed, then machines outperform humans hands-down. If the activity is complex requiring original and creative thought, or interpersonal skills, then humans trump machines. Merging man and machine is thrusting productivity into a new dimension. Automation is being used to streamline internal operations, automate production, and changing the way we think and work, freeing humans from mundane tasks and creating the opportunity for them to get engaged in higher value activities.

Instead of pitting "man vs. machine", leaders would do well to think of 'Man AND Machine.' Since the dawn of mankind, man adapted to his or her environment with tools. Without tools, man is at a distinct disadvantage to other animals. It is tools, and the ability to create new tools, that elevate man to the top of the evolutionary chain.

Machines are fast approaching a tipping point where human muscles will be obsolete in the workplace. Artificial Intelligence (AI) threatens less-than-creative roles too. Chess grand masters fell to Deep Blue, and IBM's Watson beat us at Jeopardy. AI is screaming right at us like a speeding freight train. Instead of getting run-over, leaders need to harness the power of AI. Leaders also have a vested interest in retraining their displaced human resources who are willing to be retrained to play new roles that support existing directions, or new ones, including but not limited to venturing into new markets.

Why would leaders want to invest in retraining their displaced human resources who are willing to be retrained? It is because the most time consuming, and expensive, aspect of on-boarding (indoctrination, to some) of new employees, is them adapting to the company's culture, network, and communication style. We have seen such an adaptation take upwards of 24-months in many cases; this inefficiency will quickly translate into rising operational costs. 

Information is exploding exponentially and the era of "Big Data" is here. Analytics must be used to generate a deep understanding of consumers, of course pending that the logic is sound. Processing power must be integrated to create "Smart" products. And, business operations must be streamlined to match competitor initiatives. Today's best practices will be tomorrow's price of entry.

The rush to automate rages on. The production of more goods and services with fewer hours worked, by people, allows for fewer workers, and eventually higher profits -pending the existence of a sound business strategy and fabric.

Automation either augments or replaces human workers. What works best is largely determined by the company's industry as well as management's ambitions. In many industries, competition is forcing companies to adopt automation to simply remain viable, yet alone achieve a competitive advantage. E-commerce and mobilization radically changed several business landscapes. Consider what Amazon did to retail. Mobilization is also reshaping customer expectations. Consumer's are now connected in ways never imagined a decade ago.

So, what can executives do?

1) Scan the business horizon for upcoming technological changes.

2) Rethink the business and organization in light of real-time capabilities.

3) Keep close tabs on competitor moves.

4) Create business strategies to preempt competitor moves.

5) Accelerate change throughout the organization. Speed can literally make your business, or break it! Know when, where, and how to accelerate.

6) Invest in your human resources by retraining, and taking into consideration cognitive, organizational, as well as physical ergonomics.

7) Have an objective view-point of the competition, emerging technologies, etc. Teknikrön, can help you stay focused, and not lose site of the forest for the trees.