Listen "Random Acts of Automation - Episode 26: What Does Automation Mean for Workers?"
Episode Synopsis
Welcome to another exciting edition of *Next Future Today* and the reboot of the podcast, fresh for 2025!I'm your host, Dan Keldsen, Chief Innovation Officer at Infocap AI Corp, and I'm thrilled to share insights from our recent episode featuring Craig Le Clair, VP of Research at Forrester Research.If you're interested in what the impact of automation (including many flavors of AI) is going to be on your own career or your business, Craig's insights are just what you've been looking for.For a quick glimpse - we cover...1. Introduction * Host introduction: Dan Keldsen, Chief Innovation Officer at Infocap and host of Next Future Today * Guest introduction: Craig Le Clair, VP Principal Analyst at Forrester Research2. Overview of the Episode Topic * Reboot of Next Future Today * Focus on human-centric automation * Craig Le Clair’s book: Random Acts of Automation3. Discussion on Automation * Impact of automation on different worker classes * Types of automation: physical and digital * Examples: robots for physical tasks, various forms of digital process automation4. Perspectives on Work and Automation * Different career paths and impacts on jobs from automation * Four classes of workers affected by automation: digital elites, middle workers, human touch workers, and work-life pioneers5. Concept of Pragmatic Futurism * Dan’s approach to being a pragmatic futurist * Importance of adapting to future trends6. Craig’s Keynote and Career * Craig's presentation at UiPath * His professional background and approach to technology analysis7. Insights from Craig’s Book * Books written by Craig: Random Acts of Automation, Invisible Robots in the Quiet of the Night * Themes of the latest book * Timelessness and relevance of the insights provided8. Defining Worker Classes * Digital Elites * Middle Workers * Human Touch Workers * Work-Life Pioneers9. Critical Thinking and Skills Development * Importance of workers developing critical thinking * Skills for adapting to automation10. Discussion on Change Management * Inefficacy of traditional change management * Need for embedding change management into the workforce11. The Role of Grit and Constructive Ambition * Encouraging workers to have grit and constructive ambition * Recommendations for workers navigating automation12. Conclusion and Contact Information * Final thoughts from Craig⏰ Timecodes ⏰00:00 Automation's Impact on Workforce03:06 "Pragmatic Futurism and Humor"06:58 "Tech's Fast Pace & Worker Adaptation"09:40 Navigating Complexity in Workflow14:37 Future Job Trends and Adaptations17:14 Consulting and Change Management Critique20:10 Critical Thinking in Automation Era23:04 Prioritize People, Not Profits26:44 AI and Gig Economy Shift30:14 UiPath Interest Leads to Farming Insights34:01 Underground Job's Unique Camaraderie35:30 "Pragmatic Futurism: Act Now"38:32 "Anticipating 'Random Acts of Automation'"
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