Automation and the IT Workforce of the Future

Introduction

The growth of automation and artificial intelligence is having a significant impact on the IT workforce. As more repetitive and routine tasks are automated, the nature of IT work is changing. In this article, I will examine the effects of automation on the IT workforce and what the IT jobs of the future may look like.

Current State of Automation in IT

Many common IT tasks have already been automated to some degree. For example:

• Server provisioning can be automated through configuration management tools like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet. This reduces the need for manual server setup and configuration.

• Networking tasks like cabling, configuring switches and routers, and managing firewalls are being automated by software-defined networking.

• Software testing is increasingly automated through testing frameworks like Selenium that can run automated UI tests. This reduces the time-consuming manual testing traditionally done by QA teams.

• Security tasks like log analysis and threat detection are being automated using machine learning and AI. For example, machine learning algorithms can be trained to detect anomalies and threats in network traffic and logs.

• IT support tasks are being automated using chatbots and intelligent virtual agents. These can resolve common IT issues without human involvement.

So while automation is not new to IT, adoption is accelerating. This will change the skills required for many established IT roles.

How Automation Changes IT Roles

Many traditional IT roles focused on repetitive, routine tasks like configuring hardware, managing servers, and running cables. As these tasks get automated, human workers can focus on higher-value work.

For example, network engineers can spend less time performing manual configurations and focus more on network optimization, security, and strategic initiatives. The reliance on human judgment and critical thinking increases.

Some IT roles will work alongside intelligent automation and AI systems. For example, IT support agents can be augmented by virtual agents that resolve common issues. The human agents then focus on more complex cases.

There are also new roles emerging related to intelligent automation like:

• Automation architects who design and implement automation systems.
• AI trainers who teach AI systems by providing training data.
• Automation managers who oversee and optimize automation deployments.

So while automation displaces repetitive and routine elements of jobs, new opportunities are emerging around managing and enhancing automation.

Will Automation Lead to IT Job Losses?

There are certainly concerns that automation will lead to permanent job losses in IT, similar to what happened in manufacturing and other industries.

However, the reality is more complex:

• Automation creates new IT job opportunities even as it changes existing jobs. There is growing demand for IT workers with automation skills.

• Emerging technologies like blockchain, edge computing, quantum computing, and 5G networks will create new work that requires human skills and expertise. These innovations exceed current automation capabilities.

• The pace of technological advancement keeps accelerating. Humans maintain an edge in creativity, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and communicating complex ideas. These uniquely human skills become even more crucial with the rise of automation.

While automation may reduce the need for people performing repetitive tasks, those willing to adapt their skills and take on more cognitive roles can likely still thrive in the IT workforce. Continual skills development and retraining will be essential.

The IT Jobs Most Resistant to Automation

Certain IT jobs rely heavily on interpersonal skills, creativity, and cognitive abilities that make them challenging to automate. Jobs that are likely to persist include:

• IT leadership roles like CIOs, CTOs, and directors – strategic vision and leadership cannot be automated.
• IT project managers – overseeing complex IT projects requires human coordination, communication, and emotional intelligence.
• Data scientists – interpreting insights from data and identifying new opportunities for analytics will resist automation.
• Security experts – innovative thinking is crucial for staying ahead of emerging cyber threats. Creativity exceeds automation.
• Business analysts – complex problem solving and cross-domain thinking is vital for understanding organizational needs and bridging IT with business objectives.

The common theme is these roles cannot be defined through rigid rules and logic. They require human judgment, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. While artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, human-level general intelligence remains elusive.

Preparing the IT Workforce for Automation

To thrive in the age of automation, IT workers should:

• Continually expand their skills – both technical and “soft” skills like communication, collaboration, and creative thinking. Lifelong learning is essential.

• Develop knowledge of intelligent automation – understand capabilities and limitations to identify opportunities for implementation.

• Focus on uniquely human strengths – like emotional intelligence, creativity, and bridging business and technology.

• Adapt to changing roles – be open to changing responsibilities and augmenting work alongside AI.

IT leaders should provide training in automation and AI to current staff and emphasize uniquely human skills in hiring. Educational institutions must evolve curriculums to develop automation experts.

While parts of IT work will be redefined by automation, humans who can adapt have an exciting future shaping how automation transforms organizations.

Conclusion

Automation is transforming portions of IT work from repetitive tasks to more strategic, cognitive work. Certain IT roles will work alongside AI systems in new ways. While some skills will become less relevant, the uniquely human abilities to innovate, problem solve, and think strategically will only grow in importance. IT professionals who can adapt to an increasingly automated workplace by expanding their skills will thrive in the IT workforce of the future.