Beware the Algorithmic Inequality Trap

  • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Author:  Mike Walsh

Short Description

The risks of Algorithmic Inequality Trap and discrimination and bias have received much attention and scrutiny, and rightly so. Yet there is another more insidious side-effect of our increasingly AI-powered society — the systematic inequality created by the changing nature of work itself. We fear a future where robots take our jobs, but what happens […]

The risks of Algorithmic Inequality Trap and discrimination and bias have received much attention and scrutiny, and rightly so. Yet there is another more insidious side-effect of our increasingly AI-powered society — the systematic inequality created by the changing nature of work itself.

We fear a future where robots take our jobs, but what happens when a significant portion of the workforce ends up in algorithmically managed jobs with little future and few possibilities for advancement?

One of the classic tropes of self-made success is the leader who comes from humble beginnings, working their way up from the mailroom, the cash register, or the factory floor. And while doing that is considerably tougher than Hollywood might suggest, bottom-up mobility was at least possible in traditional organizations.

Charlie Bell, former CEO of McDonalds, started as a crew member flipping burgers. Mary Barra, chairman and CEO of General Motors, started on the assembly line. Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, started in a distribution center.

Beware the Algorithmic Inequality Trap

By comparison, how many Uber drivers do you think will ever have the chance to attain a managerial position at the company, let alone run the ride-sharing giant?

How many future top Amazon executives will start their careers by delivering packages or stacking shelves?

The billionaire founder and CEO of Instacart may have personally delivered the company’s first order, but how many others will follow in his footsteps?

Here’s the problem: There’s a “code ceiling” that prevents career advancement — irrespective of gender or race — because, in an AI-powered organization, junior employees and freelancers rarely interact with other human co-workers. Instead, they are managed by algorithms.

Efficient yes, but this new world of work also sets the stage for an Algorithmic Inequality Trap.

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Facebook

Author Profile

Read further articles in similar categories

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to Beware the Algorithmic Inequality Trap

Aga Bajer | The Culture Lab

How to Craft Powerful Stories that Can Drive Culture Change There is an old adage that says:   If you want to learn about a culture, listen to the stories. If you want to change a culture, change the stories.    I had a first-hand experience with this very early on in my career. The MD […]

  • Author: Aga Bajer
WS Logo 512

The Essence of Business is People , each and every business needs people to service and most of them are geared towards offering a product and or service to people. So therefore the foundation of any great business lies in the People Engagement and Growth strategy. There is an illusion that technology and apps will […]

  • Author: Billy Selekane
Dr. Darren Coleman

Defining great brand values: Five practical pointers A surprising number of brands have values that are about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. Seriously. They do. Unfortunately, this only becomes apparent when brands try to bring their values to life via the experiences they want to build. Things grind to a halt because their brand […]

  • Author: Dr. Darren Coleman
Noah St. John

What does it mean to be an inspiring leader? An inspirational leader is someone that people follow, if you’re a leader and nobody’s following you, you’re not really a leader or you lack leadership skills. Think of the world’s most inspiring leaders, who are inspiring leaders throughout history?   What does it mean to be an inspiring leader? An inspiring leader is someone […]

  • Author: Noah St. John
WS Logo 512

I am as outraged as you are when I heard the news of the violent death of Uyinene Mrwetyana in September last year, the heartbreak and the anguish felt physically unbearable.  I was overwhelmed by grief and outrage. I was consumed with terror for our daughters.  As I started to catch my breath and look […]

  • Author: Kim van Kets
Mike Walsh | Between Worlds Podcast

Almost every industry today is undergoing a radical reimagining and a Transformation story about leadership. Yet simple catchphrases’ like ‘strategic pivot’ and ‘disruptive innovation’ do little leadership to encapsulate the complex challenges that organizations face in the accelerated world unleashed by the pandemic. The problem is particularly acute for technology companies. When decision-makers are inundated […]

  • Author: Mike Walsh

Vancouver, Canada  | Disembarking   On a beautiful sunny morning, the Captain brought Seabourn Odyssey alongside Canada Place in Vancouver at 7am. Long before the ship is cleared and guests are allowed to disembark, the activity begins.   A massive fuel barge is brought alongside to refuel (bunker) the ship, and the quayside is lined with […]

  • Author: Rob Caskie
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

Hunting Discomfort Landed TED is critical to preparing a successful TED talk, even more so after you’re accepted. And with how exclusive TED talks are to give, you want to do everything in your power to give a meaningful talk, right? We’ve all heard countless stories about how a TED talk has transformed a company, […]

  • Author: Sterling Hawkins

© All rights reserved 2024. Created using VOXEL THEME

1902 Wright Place, Carlsbad, CA, 92008