Digital culture shock: HR's new role in the age of automation

By KEITH FERNER-WE are on the cusp of a brave new world as technologies such as 3D printing, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things reshape the workplace. Smart algorithms and machines are taking on more and more of the tasks that humans used to do on factory floors, in financial call centres and even in hospitality and retail. In manufacturing, we see the advent of Industry 4.0 – a fourth industrial revolution driven by connected devices and sensors, cloud computing, advanced robotics, intelligent software, and a range of other technologies. Companies like Tesla produce complex products in a smooth, automated process using specialist robots with very little human input. Autonomous driving vehicles that use computer vision are prowling the streets in pilot projects in many of the world's largest cities.