How to decide what work should be done by AI vs humans

Making informed decisions about what work should be assigned to AI versus humans is essential for optimizing resource allocation and leveraging the full potential of AI. By understanding the nature of tasks and their AI potential, you can clarify roles and responsibilities across your organization.

Understanding Work Architecture

Work Architecture provides a structured view of roles, tasks, and skills within your organization. It's the foundational layer that informs decisions on where AI can add value. By analyzing tasks at a granular level, you can identify which tasks are suitable for automation and which should remain human-driven.

Criteria for AI vs Human Task Assignment

Deciding whether a task should be performed by AI or humans involves several key criteria:

- AI Potential: Assess the degree to which a task can be automated. Tasks with high AI potential are good candidates for automation, while those requiring human judgment are better suited for human execution.

- Task Complexity: Tasks that are routine, repetitive, and rule-based are ideal for AI. Conversely, tasks that require critical thinking, creativity, or empathic decision-making should remain with human workers.

- Skill Requirements: Consider the skills required to complete a task. If a task can be accomplished using AI without requiring advanced human skills, it’s a candidate for AI.

- Capacity Unlocked: Evaluate the potential time savings and capacity unlocks that AI can provide. The more significant the potential impact, the higher the priority for automation.

Leveraging Work Intelligence

Work Intelligence provides critical metrics that can guide your decision-making. Use these metrics to evaluate:

- Cost Trapped in Low-Value Work: Identify areas where resources are being wasted on tasks that AI could handle, freeing up human capacity for higher-value work.

- AI-Ready Tasks: Focus on tasks that are marked as ready for automation based on your organization’s AI maturity and the specific AI potential of those tasks.

Continuous Review and Adjustment

The process of deciding what work should be done by AI versus humans is not a one-time decision. Regularly reviewing and updating your Work Architecture lays the groundwork for ongoing improvement and adaptation. This continuous improvement allows your organization to respond to changing work conditions and technology advancements effectively.

Frequently asked questions

What is AI potential in work tasks?

AI potential refers to the degree to which a task can be automated or augmented by AI. It is assessed based on task type, complexity, data structure, and the current maturity of AI tools.

How does Work Architecture support these decisions?

Work Architecture provides a structured framework that maps out roles, tasks, and skills in your organization, allowing for informed decisions about task assignments and enhancing AI deployment strategies.

How is task complexity evaluated?

Task complexity is evaluated based on factors such as the repetitiveness of the task, the need for critical thinking or coordination, and the specific skills required to complete it successfully.