Are AI and automation ethical?

My honest thoughts.

Photo by Sanket Mishra on Unsplash

It’s no secret that the use of automation is on the rise.

And as AI and automation tools develop and become more accurate, people across industries are worried about “robots” replacing their jobs.

On the other hand, employers and business owners are trying to navigate how they can use AI and automation to cut down business costs.

As an ex-Corporate girl and someone who now owns a business, trust me when I say I can see both sides.

Being a tech nerd, I think the efficiency of automation and the fresh ideas AI can bring to the table are freaking awesome. When used correctly, these tools are unbelievable, and they can save tons of time and money. (Who doesn’t want to save time and money?)

But I’m also a people person. I could never imagine only working with computers. I need others to talk to, bounce ideas off, and connect with. (Plus, I need a team that understands my ADHD brain to keep me on track.)

So, with this in mind, how can AI, automation, and ethics work together?

Here are four questions to ask yourself when you’re trying to decide if automation and/or AI could replace a person’s job:

1. Can this particular role survive on automation alone?

   If this job requires any bit of human thought, it probably can’t be 100% replaced by automation. For example, AI tools can act as copywriters, but those tools don’t completely understand your brand voice and experience. You need a human for that.

2. Can you automate for efficiency without costing someone their job?

   Consider automating pieces of the job but not the entire role itself. Using automation to help your employees is a great step. That frees up time on their plate to do bigger tasks that can help bring in more revenue.

3. Can that person’s role be pivoted into a role that helps run, track, or manage the automation?

   Technology is only great when it works. When your systems break (and they will), you need someone to fix them. Consider shifting your employees' roles so they can ensure everything is running correctly and fix it when it’s not.

4. Is the cost savings worth the person’s job?

   Make sure to do some math before you start cutting people loose. Sometimes the systems cost more time and money than they’re worth. In those cases, you’re better off keeping your people right where they are. (If it’s not broken, stop trying to fix it.)

Automation is here to stay, and I think there are some really awesome things that come from it. BUT, it’s important to think ethically before completely overhauling our businesses.