Changing the Remote Work Landscape With AI: What You Need to Know
Although the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) have been doubted by many, machine learning can increase employment opportunities for job candidates and improve processes for human resources professionals. While AI can easily replace jobs that are generally repetitive, artificial intelligence also creates opportunities for positions that require more training and skill.
Remote work has been common among freelancers and independent workers for years. Surprisingly, many companies have not embraced telecommuting for other employees despite the technology being available.
Employers are starting to embrace the work from home concept considering that almost half of the workforce in the United States will become remote according to Forbes. With stats like that, it is becoming clear that remote work should be prioritized, especially as the workplace landscape shifts amid global crisis.
How AI Can Benefit Remote Work Management
Human resources managers and associates perform numerous tasks that ensure they comply with legal hiring practices as well as company policies. The candidate selection process can be time-consuming as a result. However, businesses can create remote positions that lighten the load for managers and employees who are on-site.
Critics are often concerned about companies’ ability to monitor the productivity, work quality, and overall performance of remote employees. This is where AI and machine learning technology comes in. Supervisors can monitor work performance with systems that utilize machine learning.
The most advanced systems receive and provide information using tools such as surveys to provide unbiased, periodic performance reviews and deliver accurate reports that highlight employee strengths and areas of improvement all while assessing if remote work is effective on a case-by-case basis. This is something that is very hard to replicate with an analysis conducted by humans, especially for companies that have a large number of employees working from remote locations.
Remote Work and AI Are Both the Future
Many HR professionals and hiring managers find it time-consuming to source qualified candidates. Not only is recruiting and hiring the traditional way tedious, but it can be easy for experienced applicants to be overlooked depending on application volume. When companies use AI as an integral part of the hiring process, they can identify the most qualified applicants without having to read through hundreds of candidate profiles.
For companies looking to expand their workforces, remote work options may be easier to fill. Work from home positions remove obstacles like location and significantly reduce overhead costs, meaning that businesses can access the most qualified employees independent of location. The cost savings can either be passed on in the form of compensation or reinvested back into the company.
Pairing AI technology with remote work helps businesses screen for experienced candidates. Additionally, companies will be more efficient and gain a reputation for being forward-thinking.
Understanding the Limitations of Remote Work and AI
Remote work is on the rise. Although it is becoming an option for increasing numbers of people, it’s not suitable for everyone. Not everyone wants to work from home. Not only that, some people don’t see the benefits of AI and machine learning. Still, working from home is the preferred option for many people.
Stay-at-home parents, people with disabilities and people who find it difficult to be productive in an office setting can benefit greatly from remote work. Currently, working from home is becoming a preferred option as people are being told to stay home. Employers are accommodating essential employees by creating new work-at-home programs.
In some ways, however, companies are learning about remote work on the fly. Although the circumstances are unfortunate, new ways of managing workforce operations can open doors for permanent remote positions based on the performance of employees during this time and how advanced technology is leveraged.
Analysis of remote work shows more productivity among employees that work from home. However, the level of productivity attained depends upon the position. Some jobs require more teamwork, and remote work can limit team interaction.
Problem-solving happens at a decreased rate when comparing working at home to on-site. This may be because collaborators who work from home don’t get the same opportunities to work with others on a task or a solve a problem. Small things like being able to read someone’s body language or get more in-depth about ideas is hard to accomplish in a remote environment.
As long as remote work has been in existence, some remote workers have reported a struggle in keeping home life and work-life separate. Work-life balance has to be taken into account when people are considering work from home opportunities. It’s not ideal for everyone but people who do have an interest in remote work should weigh the pros and cons and decide what works for their personal needs.
The View of Remote Work and AI Is Changing as the World Changes
While AI will take away certain jobs, it will create many more in return. People who have already been working from home have likely been exposed to smarter systems and understand what AI-powered systems are capable of.
To continue to improve advanced systems, humans must continue to develop their skills and provide information when necessary to keep automated systems in check. Keeping its limitations in mind, artificial intelligence is anticipated to propel the concept of remote work to new heights over the next few years.
