Human resources management: Dr. Rusinek, you warn companies against pushing automation at the expense of entry-level jobs. Why?
Dr. Hans Rusinek: In the short term, automation seems to have high savings potential, but in the long term it is a danger. If I save on entry-level positions and don’t hire anyone or only a few young people, I’ll fall into a trap: This will break the bottom rung of the career ladder. In this way, companies destroy their own talent pipeline. Employers lose significantly more than they gain, for example the necessary breath of fresh air that young professionals bring into the company.
Why is that?
Because all companies automate processes with AI. The cost advantage through efficiency is canceled out very quickly. ATMs have also reduced banking costs, but have not given any bank a lasting advantage. In addition, it is often the case that the time saved by automated processes is usually filled with new processes. When I automate emails, I just write more emails. This means that the capacities gained often evaporate.
