According to a Guardian article self drive cars will be on UK roads by 2026. According to many business analysts organisations are increasingly reliant on AI to make the big business decisions. Some how the idea of driver less cars on our roads seems more scary than the same AI running organisations. Perhaps it is because it is easier to visualise these cars on the road and easier to imagine scenarios where they mistake or fail to recognise other road users. Yes we can see how the Transport Ministry could claim AI will be better drivers not prone to road rage, distracted by texting or driving whilst under the influence of drugs and alcohol. So in that sense safer. In the same way organisations claim AI will ensure business decisions are rational, based on accurate and extensive information and free from bias or human egos. But will this cold rational dispassionate decision making be compatible with compassionate management, a willingness to engage and value the views of irrational employees, a concern for the social, economic and environmental impact on local communities? I suppose it comes down to trust, would you be willing to ride in a driverless car? How do you feel about sharing a busy motorway with cars that stick to the speed limit , insist on keeping a safe distance between the vehicle infront ,never overtake unless the road head is clear and always reduce speed if the weather and road conditions are poor? Would you feel safer or rather irritated to be driving the vehicle behind such a car? They would be very risk adverse. Can you have a successful but risk adverse organisation? You think Health and Safety can be over the top now just imagine if AI was in charge. How much flexibility do you think managers would have if AI was in charge of HR? When I think of an absence management policy that has been draw up by AI and administered by AI I think of the arbituary 3 Srikes and your Out. It ‘s rational, it’s based on an algorithm draw from big data and it’s free from human bias. Would you trust an organisation that put such faith in AI? More important would you want to work for such an organisation.
Blair McPherson former director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk
