The Absent Uncle: Points of view

Last week I was reading an article regarding the use of AI generated algorithms to control hours and wages. The author related that the successful implementation of those algorithms had resulted in successful lowering of overall wages and benefits to the workers.

That started a cascade of thoughts in my mind.

As a past professional manager, I was well aware that wages and benefits are the biggest cost that most businesses have. Control of that cost was always the number one priority and biggest indicator of the (my) success in keeping the hours and productivity pointed in the right direction. So, the use of these algorithms to assign jobs, control hours, and in some cases set wages was an effective use of a tool available to management.

In my mind, I was part of the personal, manual algorithm that succeeded in setting and achieving the goals set – or – determined why those goals were not achievable. 

So now, hmmmm. Unless I was the guy that went out and sourced this algorithm or in some way assisted in programing/implementing it within the business – just what did I do to make this a success? Not only did I not actually do the managing or set the controls up to maximize efficiencies, I probably was just showing off my shortcomings, and my horizon is narrowed in terms of growth. Just do what the “machine” tells you to do.

And then there is another side. When I was a young worker, I was the type to show up early, stay late, look for extra work to do that would benefit the organization – and me. Extra wages, sometimes meant opportunities for training and eventual promotion; overall, making myself more valuable and taking home more money. 

At the time I wasn’t aware that the greatest expense any business had was wages and benefits. I wasn’t aware that supervisors were maybe supposed to be limiting my ability to earn more; it always seemed to me that those supervisors were very happy to have my help and didn’t sign my timesheet grudgingly.

The attitude of doing whatever you could do to help (and be paid for it) was not only accepted but was encouraged and for that, I am very thankful.

I wonder what the overall effect of more use of these algorithms will be. Less enthusiasm on the part of the workers? Less personal effectiveness of the managers? Fewer managers? How will customers be affected? More profit? Tune in – algorithms are coming to answer these – and any – questions you may have.