What To Do When Machines Do Everything summary

Over the past few decades, the automation of the industrial workplace has been continuous. The massive factories that were once filled with people are now running on row after row of machines.

However, even though the factory floors have 90 percent fewer people on them, it doesn’t mean that every worker has to worry about losing his or her job. This is because technology has routinely created new jobs as much as it takes them away.

If you’ve ever used Uber, you may have marveled at the way one app can connect you with a car, provide you with a rating, charge your debit card and e-mail you an invoice, all in a matter of seconds. In fact, most people will embrace a new technology like Uber without ever stopping to consider how it all works. So let’s take a closer look.

At the heart of Uber is the same “new machine” technology that keeps Facebook, Google and Instagram running, and it’s commonly known as a system of intelligence.

When you look back on history, you can see how every industrial revolution was launched by the abundance of a new raw material, such as steel, coal or oil. This time, the raw material is data. And just like before, organizations are competing to prosper in this revolution by effectively mining and refining the resource into something meaningful that gives them a competitive advantage.

But in order to turn your company’s data into something meaningful, you need a good business analyst.   Today, the field of business analytics is about using tools, processes and techniques to transform reams of data into insights that a company can use to take action and make profits or solve business problems.

Whatever your industry might be, chances are that Silicon Valley is getting ready to disrupt it, armed with systems of intelligence and fueled by big data.

At this point, you might be thinking, “no problem, I’m already collecting all my data and putting it to good use.”

So, when moving to a digital business model, the question arises: what can you automate? Start by looking around your office and making note of what exactly everyone is doing.

The truth is, many “white-collar” administrative tasks can, and will, become automated soon enough, and this revolution will change what countless people around the world will be doing on weekdays between the hours of nine to five.