Increased automation to open more doors to disabled people, says Gartner

The Gartner report, ‘Predicts 2020: AI and the Future of Work‘, predicted that 69% of routine work by managers will be replaced by AI and emerging automation technologies by 2024.

That proportion of managerial admin is expected to be offloaded to technologies such as chatbots and virtual personal assistants.

This shift in reliance on technology is expected to empower employees more, giving them more responsibility and scope for influence without needing to take on management tasks.

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“The role of manager will see a complete overhaul in the next four years,” said Helen Poitevin, research vice president at Gartner. “Currently, managers often need to spend time filling in forms, updating information and approving workflows.

“By using AI to automate these tasks, they can spend less time managing transactions and can invest more time on learning, performance management and goal setting.

“Application leaders will need to support a gradual transition to increased automation of management tasks as this functionality becomes increasingly available across more enterprise applications.”

Gartner also predicted that by 2023, the number of disabled people in employment will triple due to automation reducing barriers to access.

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Additionally, a lack of disabled people in the workforce will stop companies from keeping up with its competitors by 2022, and it’s been estimated that organisations employing disabled people have 89% higher retention rates, a 72% rise in productivity, and a 29% increase in profitability.

“Some organisations are successfully using AI to make work accessible for those with special needs,” continued Poitevin. “Restaurants are piloting AI robotics technology that enables paralysed employees to control robotic waiters remotely.

“With technologies like braille-readers and virtual reality, organisations are more open to opportunities to employ a diverse workforce.”

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Aaron Hurst

Aaron Hurst is Information Age's senior reporter, providing news and features around the hottest trends across the tech industry.