In business it is commonly said that one of the key factors in creative success is diversity. Studies have found that firms with a diverse workforce – in terms of skills, genders, ethnicities, ages, sexualities and more – are better at understanding the complexities of their market, devising innovative solutions, and are ultimately stronger performers.
These are, after all, the attributes that make us human.
Yet as technology advances a new form of diversity at work is emerging – one where humans and non-humans (i.e. machines) have to join forces.
Much has been written recently about the impact of automation on the global workforce. A study by Oxford Economics last year for example forecast that AI-driven robots will replace up to 20 million manufacturing jobs by 2030.
Yet this transformation is not confined to manufacturing alone. With the promise of reduced costs and significantly improved efficiency, many firms are already exploring the use of algorithmically-driven AI in managerial decision-making.
According to some tech gurus, human managers themselves could eventually be replaced by AI. Such pronouncements have sparked fears of mass unemployment as ever more capable machines inevitably make human workers redundant.
This view is perhaps unduly pessimistic. Autonomous AI may indeed deliver superior performance in specific areas beyond the expertise of a single human, but it is yet to match the creative power of human teams to connect, collaborate, innovate and raise performance.
Fundamentally, this ability of human teams to push the boundaries is the reason many companies thrive.
Algorithms which form the ‘brains’ of AI are exceptional at delivering what is optimal using a rational set of rules, but they lack the social skills to easily initiate and guide cooperation. They also fall down when it comes to ‘thinking out of the box’ – an ability where humans retain the upper hand.
Coming up with creative ideas and innovative solutions is essential for firms to retain a competitive advantage. The question then is how will this new diversity – where AI and humans collaborate in decision-making – ensure that technology promotes rather than hinders the creative process? Moreover, how will it cope with – or, better yet, appreciate – failure?
This matters because many of the key discoveries from history originate in failure.
To take just one example, would AI have discovered penicillin? One of the most important medical breakthroughs of the past century was only discovered by accident in a batch of contaminated lab dishes which were unintentionally left exposed for two weeks whilst scientist Alexander Fleming was on holiday.
Had AI been in charge, such lucky mistakes would almost certainly not happen.
By offering unprecedented accuracy and speed, AI opens up many exciting opportunities. Yet one thing remains unchanged – the power and necessity of connection. How firms manage this new diversity, to connect and successfully collaborate between humans and AI, will be a crucial factor in defining the future of business.