Businesses across the globe are fascinated with the idea of AI and automation because this advanced technology promises operational efficiency, enhanced processes, and substantial cost savings. However, AI and its allied technologies have also created uncertainties, confusion, and doubts about the human capability for adopting, deploying, and executing these magical systems in actual business situations -- simply because the business leaders and operators are still all humans. Today, it is widely acknowledged that automation and AI technologies will gradually transform the global workplace, with intelligent machines performing human tasks in some cases and aiding the human in other cases. The presence of robotic machines in the workplace will ultimately increase efficiency and reduce costs. As a result, many human occupations will disappear, while others will adapt to technology-enabled roles.

A leading futurist is urging Kiwi companies to prepare for a tech-transformed future where machines have replaced many of today's jobs. This might mean a robot tractor repairing a fence line, a robotic plumber fixing a toilet, artificial intelligence scanning and approving a contract, a holographic projector can let you visit any place in the world - or even a drone delivering a coffee made by an automatic barista. The call comes as a new report, launched today to mark the start of Techweek NZ, has revealed nearly half of all surveyed small and medium businesses in New Zealand expect to see "significant" disruption from technology within the next decade. Yet the findings of the MYOB Future of Business Report: The Age of Change showed two thirds were adopting a "wait-and-see approach" to change. The company's chief technical advisor Simon Raik-Allen said although businesses were expecting tech-driven change to come quickly, it was less clear how well prepared they'll be for it.