The Rise of AI Managers: A Game-Changer in the Workplace
With the stress of managing 83 employees taking its toll, Hannu Rauma was feeling discouraged and frustrated. As a senior manager at a company called Student Marketing Agency in Vancouver, Canada, Rauma was struggling to keep up with the demands of his role. However, everything changed last November when the firm implemented an autonomous AI manager developed by US-based company Inspira.
The AI manager revolutionized the way employees at the agency worked, helping them set schedules, plan workloads, and stay on track with deadlines. It also provided support in various tasks, such as improving written text, answering work-related questions, and tracking work progress. Rauma credits the AI manager with reducing his stress levels and increasing productivity among his team, stating that it has “added years to my life.”
A study conducted by Inspira and academics from Columbia University, Arizona State University, and the University of Wisconsin compared the performance of the AI manager with human managers. The results showed that the AI manager was just as successful as human managers in motivating employees and improving work efficiency. When used in conjunction with a human manager, the AI manager achieved even higher success rates in task completion and time management.
While some companies like UPS and Dell have announced job cuts in favor of AI integration, Prof Paul Thurman from Columbia University warns against completely replacing human managers with AI. He emphasizes the importance of the middle management layer in organizations and suggests that AI can complement human managers by handling repetitive tasks and allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Tina Rahman, founder of HR consultancy HR Habitat, highlights the benefits of AI managers for individuals who are not natural managers but find themselves in leadership roles. However, she cautions against over-reliance on AI, as it may convey a message that companies prioritize output over employee well-being.
James Bore, managing director of cybersecurity consultancy Bores, raises concerns about the cybersecurity risks associated with AI managers. He warns that companies could become vulnerable to cyberattacks if their AI systems are compromised, leading to potential data breaches and intellectual property theft.
As the use of AI managers continues to grow in the workplace, it is essential for companies to strike a balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining human-centric values in their management practices. The integration of AI should enhance, not replace, the role of human managers, ultimately creating a more productive and secure work environment.
