Employers Say Machines Will Need Training, Too

A new survey of 2,000 business and IT executives from Accenture finds that more than three-fourths, 77 percent, believe that within three years, they will need to focus on training their machines as much as they do on training their employees. This kind of “training” involves the use of intelligent software, algorithms and machine learning.

The same number of executives say they expect employees and intelligent machines to increasingly work side by side, in a collaborative way. So how is this collaboration possible, aside from interacting with a user-friendly screen? “Advances in natural language processing are making it much easier for
humans to interact naturally with technology and machines,” the report observes. “Advances in wearable computing are allowing workers to integrate more technology seamlessly into their workflows.” It is predicted that “voice and image searches… will surpass text queries within five years—an indication of growing expectations for more human-like interactions with intelligent software.”


























The report’s authors refer to this emerging arrangement as a “blended workforce,” urging that enterprises make training a priority, “helping their human talent grow the skills needed to complement machine capabilities.”

So how can people get better prepared to participate in this blended workforce?  Accenture notes that 90 percent of executives intend to pursue massive open online courses (MOOCs) as a way to provide online training to employees. While machines increasingly acquire some human-like learning attributes, people are increasingly embracing automation. The majority of survey respondents (57 percent) are adopting technologies that enable business users to complete tasks that previously required IT experts, such as data visualization. “Advances in natural interfaces, wearable devices and smart machines are presenting new opportunities for companies to empower their workers through technology,” the report says.

Companies are relying on technology at almost all levels to compete in today’s nonstop global economy. They’re leaning on systems and machines like never before. This demands high levels of skills to develop, maintain and interact with systems. It’s in employers’ best interests to help keep their skills levels up to date.