There’s a vast array of opinions out there about how many human job functions will be assumed by robots—and how many new roles they’ll create.
Deloitte CEO Cathy Engelbert is an optimist, at least when challenged on the issue by her 15-year-old son.
“Mom, are robots going to take my job someday?,” he asked, according to a post by Engelbert on LinkedIn.
He’s not the only one concerned: A recent survey of people born in the 1980s and 1990s by the professional services firm found 40% saw automation posing a threat to their jobs, while 44% thought there would be less demand for their skills.
So what was Engelbert’s response: “Don’t worry—I’ve never met a machine with courage and empathy.”
Her placating words ascribe to the commonly-held view that while artificial intelligence has advanced in leaps and bounds, humans are still miles away from creating replicate sentient beings.
To be sure, job-loss risk can largely come down to occupation. Robots will eliminate 6% jobs in the U.S. by 2021, mostly in transportation, logistics and customer service, according to a recent estimate by market research company Forester.
The big question is whether affected individuals will be able to make the transition to new occupations, via training and development. And whether enough new occupations will even exist to fill the gap.
Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff has warned of a digital “refugee” crisis if education opportunities aren’t made more abundant, though, like him, Engelbert is confident the replacement roles will be there to fill.
Jobs are made up of many tasks, so the nature of existing jobs will change and new careers will be created, Engelbert wrote. She went on to reference MIT economist David Autor, who observed that if you told a farmer in 1900 of the looming 95% reduction in farm employment, they wouldn’t have predicted we would be developing apps instead.
“I believe that the future of work means cooperation between humans and the robots. Making us, in the world of my teen, co-bots,” she said.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
