Not only workers and employees: managers also risk losing their jobs due to artificial intelligence. The alarm is raised not by the usual catastrophists, but by a team of authoritative researchers from ESMT Berlin. Maximilian Koehler e Henry Sauermann, in a recent study (that I link to you here), in fact, they argue that AI is now capable of managing complex scientific research projects autonomously, effectively replacing traditional flesh-and-blood managers. Who wants to be fired?
AI becomes “boss”
In their article “Algorithmic management in scientific research”, published in the academic journal Research Policy, Koehler and Sauermann analyze how artificial intelligence can address the main managerial challenges in conducting research projects. From division and assignment of tasks to coordination, from team motivation to learning support, AI seems to have already fired supervisors. And he has all it takes to take on the role.
The authors examined approximately 200 projects, identifying 16 cases and 2 platforms that already rely, to some extent, on automated management systems. These include initiatives such as Aurorasaurus, Crea.visions, eBird, EteRNA and Galaxy Zoo.
Greater efficiency, but at what price?
According to the study, projects that use “mechanical managers” tend to be larger and are often associated with digital platforms, thanks to the advantages deriving from a shared technological infrastructure. This could have significant implications in terms of platform dominance and how large research organisations, such as universities, should approach funding and IT infrastructure.
All good, then? Nope. While on the one hand algorithmic management promises to improve the efficiency and scalability of scientific projects, on the other hand it raises a series of non-negligible ethical and legal questions. In particular, the researchers highlight the risk of a reduction in the autonomy of individual scientists, traditionally considered a fundamental aspect of academic work. It's no small thing.
Be careful, the right is also fired
The use of AI systems that, in fact, end up constantly monitoring researchers also raises thorny questions regarding data control. What data? Those relating to the skills, motivation and performance of workers. What would happen, for example, if organizations shared metrics collected by algorithmic management systems, influencing future hiring decisions?
The advance of AI in management could free human leaders from the most repetitive and mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic and social tasks. However, ensuring that he is not fired is also the right way to proceed. I'm not talking about automatisms, but about trappings. Unprecedented and potentially worrying scenarios for the world of work are opening up before us: scenarios which, warn Koehler and Sauermann, require further in-depth investigations before a definitive judgment can be expressed.
In any case: dear supervisor, kind "Boss", artificial intelligence is knocking more and more insistently even at the doors of your upper floors. In the space of a few years, managers in suits and ties will be the ones to fall out of executive offices. Replaced by cold but efficient algorithms, perhaps equipped with "artificial empathy".
