Digital labor is enabled by machine learning, data and analytics, visual recognition and natural language processing which, when applied to robotic automation, interacts more naturally and productively with people in everyday business environments. Artificial intelligence, cognitive technology and robotic automation are key components in the continuum of technologies that augment human judgment and automate physical tasks.

Clarity on Digital Labor key findings

• The declining cost and improving performance of digital technologies are the enablers of digital labor.
• As technology becomes more abundant and labor becomes scarcer, digital labor will have a positive effect on economies.
• The global market for robots and artificial intelligence is expected to reach USD 152.7 billion by 2020.
• Recent research suggests a ROI in robotic technologies of between 600 percent and 800 percent.

Furthermore, the publication portrays different sector views in regard to the impact of digital labor within industries and society:

• Walter Thurnherr, Federal Chancellor – Swiss Confederation
• Nitin Manoharan, Director, Head Enterprise Architecture & Vendor Governance – Philip Morris International
• Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel – Institute for Information Systems, School of Business, FHNW
• Youssef Chihi, Director; Uday Singh, Director; Yatin Chhabra, Assistant Vice President – Credit Suisse