(photo: shutterstock)

The founder of Alibaba says that managers will soon be replaced by robots. Rami Jaulus, NGG CEO, sees traditional jobs make way for technology-based services and believes that for the time being, managers are here to stay. However, organizations must reckon with the technological revolution and be prepared for it

“In 30 years, the best CEO will be a robot,” says Jack Ma, founder of online shopping giant Alibaba Group. Ma believes that robots are superior to humans because they are faster, more rational, and unimpeded by emotions. Ma predicts that dark times are ahead for those not equipped to cope with the technological revolution.

Is this what the future holds for us?

Jack Ma – Alibaba (photo: you tube screen shot)

It’s hard to say for sure whether robots will replace CEOs anytime soon. Nevertheless, the far-reaching consequences of the technological renaissance of our time cannot be ignored.

Like human beings, companies and organizations are not immune to modern advances. Technology is making traditional jobs redundant and eliminates the need for human labor. Some industries are affected more heavily than others:

• Bank tellers almost disappeared
• Grocery stores still use cashiers, but many offer self-checkout kiosks, as well. Amazon’s latest supermarket endeavor does away with the checkout process altogether and allows customers simply to load up their baskets and leave the store
• The work of customs brokers is now often digitized
• Travel agents are rarely consulted, as customers plan their entire vacations online
• The taxi and ride-sharing industry has been conquered by online platforms, making taxi call centers a thing of the past

If low-level positions are becoming extinct, are management positions soon to follow? Only time will tell. Managers and organizations must embrace technology and be prepared for the changes to come. Those who fall behind may soon be mechanized out of existence.