US-based workforce information firm Kronos partnered with IBM this month to create an AI-powered Watson Career Coach for hourly workers. The mobile-based, chatbot service provides workers with personalized advice on recommended trainings, earning promotions and raises, and switching positions within their organizations. The service is aimed at companies in, for example, the food service or retail sectors who employ large numbers of lower paid hourly workers where it is difficult to provide meaningful 1:1 human career management.

Some insights you can apply to your own organization:

- No employee left behind. Kronos and IBM zeroed in on the core, deeply human need that unites the shopkeepers with the CEOs, the bartenders with the board members. Regardless of our status, we all have the need to progress. Is a chatbot just as good as having a human coach? Almost certainly not (yet), but it's better than nothing. What resources do your higher-level employees have access to that technology might enable you to offer to everyone in your organization?

- Redundant? Or renewed? Yes, the robots are coming. And that is making many nervous: large majorities (that’s 74-91%!) of people across 10 markets think automation will have a negative impact on employment. But the future isn’t written yet. We—and you our readers!—have the power to design and deploy technology for good. To help people lead the meaningful, progress-filled lives they so yearn for. Make sure your automation strategy is empowering people in your organization. It’s a far better long-term strategy than simply eliminating them ;)

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