So, here we are in 2021: The idea of digital twins is catching on among organizations who are looking for ways to improve their operations. Interestingly enough, though, there is a striking disconnect. The concept of twins is predominantly one that pertains to human beings. And yet the human factor thus far has not been represented adequately in this equation. This is even more surprising as experts assume that human workers account for 70 percent of the added value on the shop floor. Alongside this, many studies suggest that human hands will continue to play an important role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).

Posted by Gina Schaefer, Ryan Sanders, on July 16, 2020. While the idea of machines "taking over the world" makes for compelling science fiction, businesses are discovering that the most powerful use cases for intelligent automation (IA) involve people and machines working together as a team. Of course, managing a mixed workforce of human workers and "digital workers" presents its own unique challenges. Here's a look at the critical challenges--and how to address them. Helping human workers embrace intelligent automation, not fear it Intelligent automation has turned the corner from science fiction to business reality and is quickly becoming an essential capability for companies across industries.