Digital Minions at Work: Lessons from "The Economy of Algorithms"
AI as Digital Minions?
“When it comes to security, in some sense, AI is just like any other technology. First, bad actors will misuse it. Then, we’ll learn to defeat them. It’s an ongoing cycle. Nothing new.”
Digital AI Minions
When Marek said this to me back in 2022 at an event (I hope I’m quoting you somewhat accurately, Marek!), it struck a chord.
I am not 100% sure if it was this Brisbane German Week 2022 Event - or another one where Marek said to me the quote above. But I needed a picture of him, so here it is.
Source: German Week 2022, Secrets of Bilingualism – Language and AI
Of course, this is the case. It’s always been the case with new technologies. Electricity, for instance, was once feared. Fires and accidents made people hesitant to wire their homes. But as safety mechanisms like circuit breakers improved, along with education about its safe use (seriously, don’t put a fork into an outlet), the fear subsided. Today, electricity is so ingrained in our lives that we hardly think about it. It’s just there.
And that’s the point. Technologies become fully adopted when we stop talking about them as “new” and simply expect them to work. AI is on the same path. But right now, we’re still at the stage where fear dominates some part of the conversation.
Why AI as “Digital Minions” Resonates
Recently, I pre-ordered the audiobook version of Marek’s new book. While fulfilling my promise to critique the voiceover (solid job, though I’d have preferred to hear you narrate it, Marek!), I came across a concept that stood out: AI systems as “digital minions.”
Listening to the last bits of the audiobook in Indonesia a few weeks ago.
Source: Simon Beuse, Indonesia, 2024
The analogy is brilliant. Think of the Minions from the movies—eager, helpful, and quirky, but often needing supervision because they can be, well, a little inept. Similarly, AI tools are here to assist us, but they’re not perfect, nor are they meant to completely replace us.
Some of the current AI hype suggests a fully automated future: no jobs, all AI, hooray! But even tech leaders like Elon Musk have admitted that over-automation can be a problem. Humans must stay in the loop. Sometimes.
This is where the Minions analogy becomes helpful. Instead of seeing AI as a looming threat, organizations can encourage employees to view these tools as assistants: helpful in automating repetitive tasks and amplifying their productivity. This mindset shift helps reduce fear and promotes what Marek calls “sensible automation.”
Sensible Automation: A Mindset Shift
Sensible automation is about balance. It’s not about replacing jobs; it’s about enhancing them. Employees should be encouraged to use AI tools to push the organization’s strategy forward. However, this requires thoughtful deployment and communication.
Marek highlights two key strategies for doing this: Exposure and Technical Skills. I’d like to share his insights here and build on them with examples from my experience as an IT manager.
1. Exposure: You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
Many people fear AI simply because they haven’t used it intentionally. Sure, they might encounter AI in Gmail’s predictive text or an online recommendation engine, but they don’t truly explore its potential.
One of the most effective ways to reduce fear is to expose employees to the possibilities. Showcase what’s out there. Let them see how these tools can make their lives easier.
For example, at the organization I’ve worked for over the past decade, we’ve implemented our own GPT system and rolled out training sessions globally to over 10,000 employees. By demonstrating real-world use cases and promoting safe experimentation, we sparked genuine interest from employees and managers alike.
Contrast this with some German firms I’ve interacted with, where AI adoption was “delegated” to a freshly graduated employee with no experience. Unsurprisingly, this approach often results in reports gathering dust rather than meaningful change.
Exposure works best when it’s structured, supported, and inspiring.
2. Technical Skills: Beyond Basic Prompts
It’s easy to type something into ChatGPT and marvel at the output. But the quality of results often depends on the input. This is where concepts like “prompt engineering” come in. Advanced prompt, sometimes as long as a few pages, can produce highly specific, valuable outputs.
But technical skills go beyond crafting good prompts. In innovation departments, for instance, teams can learn to build their own AI models or integrate them into physical processes, such as manufacturing.
One fascinating area I’ve explored is combining AI with physical systems. Imagine a robot performing household tasks, something I’m confident we’ll all have in the future. The integration of physicality with AI opens up incredible possibilities for industries like logistics, healthcare, and especially agriculture.
Providing employees with the tools and training to leverage these capabilities empowers them. It also addresses a common challenge Marek mentions in his book: many leaders understand the importance of AI but feel unprepared to lead digital transformation. Equipping both employees and management with technical skills is crucial for success.
Conclusion: Empower Your Team and Embrace Sensible Automation
AI isn’t here to replace us; it’s here to help us like quirky, eager minions that need a guiding hand. By exposing employees to AI’s potential and building their technical skills, organizations can reduce fear, foster innovation, and ultimately boost their bottom line.
As AI tools become a standard part of our work lives, they’ll become as unremarkable, and indispensable, as electricity. But getting to that point requires thoughtful deployment and clear communication.
If you’d like to explore how to bring this mindset into your organization, I’d love to help. Whether you’re looking to train your employees, implement sensible automation, or simply brainstorm ideas, schedule a call with me. Let’s make your AI “minions” work for you.
Takeaway
AI adoption is as much about mindset as it is about technology. Think of AI as a team of helpful, albeit imperfect, minions ready to assist. With exposure, training, and the right approach, you can turn fear into excitement.
Note: Some of the editing for this content has been assisted by AI technology to enhance efficiency. Rest assured that all information provided remains thoroughly vetted and accurate.
