【第157回】“Race against the machine”, Andrew McAfee

Though computerization makes our business and work change dramatically, we don’t have to be pessimistic about it, the author suggests. Considering about computerization, we should divide skills into possible ones and worthless ones.

Those skills which will be done by computers will be worthless rapidly and dramatically. They will lose the race against the machines. For example, routine processing, repetitive arithmetic, error-free consistency, and so on. 

On the other hand, possible ones are heavily related to human skills. According to the author, such human skills will be more valuable than ever, even in an age of incredibly powerful and capable digital technologies. The point is combining. If we combine human skills with other ones, there will be possibility of making benefits than before.

Especially, softer skills like leadership, team building, and creativity will become important in the coming computer age. They are the areas least likely to be automated by computers and most in demand in a dynamic and entrepreneurial economy.

We had better focus on two areas. One is improving the rate and quality of organizational innovation. And the other one is increasing human capital. Making progress in these two areas means not racing ‘against’ the machines, but allowing human workers and organizations to race ‘with’ the machines.

“Makers” by Chris Anderson
“Inside Apple”, Adam Lashinsky, BUSINESS PLUS, 2012
“Creative Decision Making –Using Positive Uncertainty- ”(Gelatt, H.B. and Gelatt, Carol ,Crisp Series, 2003)