Technology seems so entrenched in our modern lives that most of us don’t even give it a second thought, whether shopping online, catching up with friends via social media, or watching Netflix. Until, that is, people start talking about artificial intelligence (AI), robots taking over jobs, and what the future of work may look like. Particularly in a post COVID-19 world. 

Just How Advanced is AI Anyway?

While advocates of AI are quick to expound on the benefits of AI and similar digital tools, others find the idea of robots in the workplace somewhat unnerving. Just how much control will humans retain, which jobs will go and which will stay? Does anybody really know for sure?

Currently AI is being successfully implemented in areas where there are vast amounts of data to be processed. There’s no doubt that machines are able to process data volumes far more efficiently. Those in support of AI claim that machines provide the digital tools to take over the mundane repetitive jobs that nobody really enjoys doing anyway. This may be true. It may also be true that AI is creating new opportunities in terms of design, application and implementation and that humans are still very much needed in this field.

Some companies are leading the way in terms of digital transformation by implementing AI and attracting top technology talent in the process. Amazon is embracing the future of AI in terms of creating better customer experiences, and sales of Alexa, their AI assistant, have soared. This could be viewed as an indication that as long as people recognize the benefits that technology has to offer, they will easily adopt it. Is this an indication of what the future holds, or is it just a small segment of the market willing to embrace digital tools to that degree?

Are the Benefits of Technology Blinding Us to the Risks?

There are some who have concerns that as technology becomes more entrenched in our lives it opens us up to more risk. Maintaining privacy is becoming increasingly difficult, both in a personal capacity and for businesses that collect and use personal data. There are also questions being raised as to what degree should businesses be allowed to use and share the personal data they collect?

In 2018, both Google and Facebook came under fire for exposing user’s personal data and selling it. Information is fast becoming a commodity worth trading but what does this mean for the IT industry? Is it an opportunity or a threat?

The EU GDPR regulations that came into force in 2018 are aimed at protecting privacy and are possibly some of the most comprehensive regulations to date. While they only apply to the EU, they have set a high benchmark for other countries to emulate. It also indicates an area of opportunity in terms of work. As much as there is a demand for using data, there will be an even greater need to ensure a level of security can be maintained for the good of both businesses and customers.

Will Some Jobs or Industries Become Obsolete?

As with every evolution in the marketplace, there will be casualties. Empty retail stores are obvious casualties to the demand for online shopping. Banks stand empty or are occupied in the main by pubs or pizza chains (there’s no code yet that can replace beer or pizza!). The reality is that as digital transformation ushers in change it will impact the skills needed in the marketplace, in the same way that the creation and subsequent demise of the typewriter ushered in a new wave of jobs. Jobs that are basic or repetitive in nature are most likely to be taken over by digital tools and new jobs created (or so we are told). We’ve already seen this happening to a large degree in the manufacturing industry, and other sectors such as retail and customer services are replacing people with software. Will new jobs be created and how many of those who lose their jobs will be given the opportunity or support to re-skill?

The advantage for humans, for now, resides in developing skills that cannot be easily replicated by lines of code. Innovative thinking, creativity, strategic development and human interaction are skills that digital technologies have yet to master. Machines can process data according to how they have been programmed, but people are still needed to set those processes up and be involved in the design of digital systems. But even then this advantage could be short-lived.

There is no doubt that digital technology is going to usher in some innovative and interesting changes, the benefits and risks of which have yet to be discovered. Does digital transformation, automation and AI excite you? How do you see the future of work? Will new technologies such as AI be an enabler, providing digital tools for you to get ahead, or the thin edge of the wedge in the demise of the human workforce?

About Inspire People

We believe that technology has the power to change the world for the better and we love working with businesses whose technology or purpose has a positive impact. We help businesses that share our vision access the people, resources and strategic advice they need to achieve their digital transformation goals.

Our service is designed to accelerate your digital growth. We created our offer in response to emerging challenges in an uncertain business landscape: a blend of Advisory, Talent and Project led services that will help you achieve your strategic aims and deliver more for your employees and customers. We’ll connect you to rare specialist talent, experts and insight to help you navigate your biggest challenges and remain competitive in a changed world.

Get in touch today to discover how working with us could help you innovate and grow.

Speak to our expert team on +44(0)20 7871 8550 or email hello@inspirepeople.net

Public sector bodies have a notoriously bad reputation for being behind the times, inefficient and wrapped up in red tape. And when they relied on paper systems to make things happen, that was largely true. However, digital transformation is not only starting to make the public sector more efficient, it’s turning it into one of the most innovative and exciting places to work.

We are seeing a surge in Digital, Data and Technology opportunities in the public sector, particularly for those skilled in implementing digital transformation. Here are five ways in which digital technology is changing the public sector for the better, and why it’s fast becoming a very attractive place to work:

Digital Tools Solving the Volume Problem

One of the reasons that the public sector has struggled with its administration is not just because of all the systems and procedures it needs to navigate for good governance, but also because of the sheer volumes that it has to process. This is where digital transformation is making a significant impact in increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs for the public sector. But to achieve these objectives they need IT professionals who can design, implement and manage the digital tools and systems according to what a particular public sector division needs.  And for IT professionals it presents an opportunity to be at the forefront of digital innovation, applying your knowledge and expertise to create technology solutions that will have a direct impact on public services, making them more efficient. In the past, when businesses wanted to attract new talent to their team, all they needed to do was post a job advert and wait for a stream of candidates to pour in. The employers held the power in talent acquisition.

Digital Technology Creating a Better User Experience

A distinct advantage of digital technology is that it enables users to be able to transact online and avoid lengthy queues, moving citizens to a self-service approach. Once a system is in place, digital tools establish data trails which will make it easier to perform updates, make changes to a user’s account, log faults, track maintenance and generally be able to offer a significantly better user experience in the process. Using digital tools to introduce customer self-service channels will reduce the number of administrative staff needed and help improve the customer experience. This is creating opportunities for IT professionals who have expertise in the customer engagement sector. By adding their input when a digital transformation is being implemented it can help make the systems more user-friendly.

Introduction of Emerging Digital Technologies

The public sector is a prime candidate for digital innovation. They process vast volumes of data, have detailed processes, and have a legacy of outdated systems that have proven to be very inefficient. With the pressure on for the public sector to deliver better services more efficiently while managing ever decreasing budgets, digital technology is offering an attractive solution, and decision-makers in the public sector are well aware of this. There are few sectors in the marketplace that can currently offer a workplace so ripe with opportunity for innovation and creative solutions. Being involved in the implementation of digital technologies from the start provides a sound foundation for a positive and progressive career path in IT. 

Management of Digital Technologies in the Public Sector

Digital Technology is at the heart of almost every industry and the way the public interfaces on a daily basis. Collaboration is viewed as the new management style, recognizing different areas of expertise and having the ability to optimise these various skills. Project managers will need to have some level of understanding of IT and the digital technologies available in order to be able to oversee the implementation of projects. In other words, leaders who have a background in IT, coupled with good project management and leadership skills, will be considered top candidates for management positions. 

Digital Technology Connecting Industry Sectors

Additionally, IT professionals may find themselves gaining exposure to a number of different industry sectors. For example: the introduction of smart motorways is aimed at making highways safer and less congested. Similar digital technologies are being introduced in other infrastructure industries. Healthcare too is using databases and digital technology to better manage public hospitals and medical services, such as The Genomics Medicine Service. IT is no longer an industry that operates purely in the business sector, and there is a wealth of opportunity for those that have IT expertise and interests in other sectors. 

In terms of career development, the public sector may well offer some of the best career prospects, not only for working with emerging digital technologies, but also in terms of developing your skills and developing others whilst making a positive difference to society. 

Far from being the stuffy old school working environment, the public sector is quickly becoming one of the most innovative and exciting working environments for IT professionals. There is a wealth of opportunity for forward thinking individuals who are willing to step up to the challenge and apply their expertise to creating solutions that will help make the public sector more efficient.  Will you be one of the people driving change in the public sector? 

About Inspire People

We believe that technology has the power to change the world for the better and we love working with businesses whose technology or purpose has a positive impact. We help businesses that share our vision access the people, resources and strategic advice they need to achieve their digital transformation goals.

Our service is designed to accelerate your digital growth. We created our offer in response to emerging challenges in an uncertain business landscape: a blend of Advisory, Talent and Project led services that will help you achieve your strategic aims and deliver more for your employees and customers. We’ll connect you to rare specialist talent, experts and insight to help you navigate your biggest challenges and remain competitive in a changed world.

Get in touch today to discover how working with us could help you innovate and grow.

Speak to our expert team on +44(0)20 7871 8550 or email  hello@inspirepeople.net