An office worker in Helsinki. LEHTIKUVA
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A new report reveals that the use of AI and algorithms in workplace management has, in some cases, led to decreased productivity and inefficiencies. Mistakes in scheduling and assigning unnecessary tasks have caused frustration among workers, highlighting the need for more thoughtful integration of AI in business processes. The study, which focuses on the retail and logistics sectors, calls for greater involvement of employees in the planning stages of AI deployment to avoid such issues.
The report, part of a European research project coordinated in Finland by the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, was conducted by experts from the think tank Demos Helsinki. The findings show that while AI has the potential to boost efficiency, its misuse has led to wasted time and operational errors.
Algorithmic Mismanagement Leads to Operational Chaos
One of the key examples in the report describes how AI-based algorithms, used to schedule retail workers down to 15-minute increments, resulted in understaffing during critical times. “The algorithms did not account for ‘invisible’ tasks like restocking shelves, which led to chaos and customer frustration,” said Johannes Anttila, one of the report’s authors.
The study, which interviewed employees and union representatives in retail and logistics, provides deeper insights into the effects of algorithmic management on workers. In logistics, for example, an AI system directed drivers to empty trash bins during rush hour, wasting time and re on September 16, 2024. It is part of a larger European research project, Digital Programme: Algorithms at the Workplace, led by the Brussels-based think tank Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS). The project has received support from the European Parliament and Nordic trade unions.
A discussion event on the report’s findings will take place on September 17, 2024, at the University of Helsinki. Key speakers include Uma Rani, an AI specialist from the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Annikka Lemmens, an economist from the OECD. The event will explore how AI is reshaping workplaces around the world.
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
