The future of work isn't a choice between humans or technology, but rather an integration of talent and digital developments . Business growth will depend on how well these two aspects coexist to create more competitive organizations.

Estrella Vázquez, a consultant specializing in talent and human capital management, explained that organizations face many changes , from technological to legal, which forces them to be more efficient in managing their resources; however, that does not mean choosing between the human and the digital .

“The relationship between the human and the digital is more tense than ever. The solution isn't choosing between technology or talent, but knowing and learning how to integrate them .”

During the webinar Myths about AI at Work , he explained that, for a long time, digital transformation was seen as a technical process that only systems experts could do. “Today, we know that true transformation happens when we put people at the center of the strategy and that we are all integrated into the automation of artificial intelligence and everything we can think of regarding technology.”

“I'm going to lose my job because I'll be replaced,” the most common myth

For the founder and CEO of Time2Grow, this automation has brought challenges and fears to the world of work, where it's common to hear that robots will replace routine activities and, with them, workers.

However, he believes that the reflection, rather than fear, should be that automation doesn't eliminate jobs, but it does transform functions , and in that sense, the real challenge is how to prepare people to retrain and not be discarded.

In this regard, he recommended that organizations continually train their talent in digital tools, in addition to communicating clearly about these changes to reduce stress levels, not only at the business level but also as a society.

The talent management specialist said that another fear that emerges with this outlook is insufficient technical skills ; for example, 53% of companies report having difficulty finding talent, according to Manpower.

In light of this, he emphasized that knowing how to use the tools isn't enough; "we need to understand digital processes, data, artificial intelligence , and cybersecurity, and that confronts us with many challenges, such as the educational gap."

To mitigate these gaps, as well as the learning and generational gaps, Estrella Vázquez recommended implementing upskilling and reskilling strategies, with partnerships with universities, bootcamps, and training platforms. This includes internal diagnostics and personalized development groups.

Hierarchies and the clash with the vision of automation

Finally, he said that the organizational culture in Mexico tends to be hierarchical , and the automation environment requires autonomy, collaboration, and continuous feedback, which clashes with these traditional organizational structures.

To solve this challenge, he recommends generating a change that ranges from the emotional level, through digital culture and the alignment of technology with human processes.

"So I think the important part of these challenges we face is that technology doesn't replace people , it replaces processes. And the risk of automation isn't losing jobs, but losing humanity in the process," he added.

He asserted that the companies that survive will not be the most automated, but rather those that achieve this synergy between technology and human beings .

“The advantage of this human-centered digitalization is the community it fosters through collaboration. Technology automates tasks , as we've said, but the current situation is truly born from talent, critical thinking, empathy, and this human connection.”

He added that while AI can filter resumes, only humans can detect that a person, even if they don't meet all the job requirements, has the potential to transform a company .

"Technology doesn't replace people. Digitizing isn't about disconnecting from the human side, but rather reconnecting with what's essential: collaboration, creativity, and the sense of purpose that makes us human. The companies of the future , once again, won't be the most technologically advanced or the most humane, but rather those that understand that one cannot advance without the other," he said.

The Economist. The future of work is not a choice between humans and technology.