In the age of digital transformation, one term is making waves across industries: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and AI. Celebrated for its efficiency and derided for its perceived threat to human jobs, RPA sits at the heart of a heated debate. Is it a job killer or a job enhancer?
This blog unpacks the myths, the facts, and the future of work in an RPA and AI-powered world.
What is RPA, Really?
RPA involves the use of software robots—or "bots"—to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks traditionally performed by humans. These include things like data entry, invoice processing, customer service triaging, and more.
Unlike artificial intelligence (AI), RPA doesn't learn or adapt on its own. It follows programmed rules, which makes it ideal for tasks that don’t require human judgment or creativity.
The Automation Anxiety
With automation often comes anxiety. It’s understandable. History has shown us how technological advancements—from the industrial revolution to the rise of the internet—can disrupt job markets.
Here are a few of the common concerns:
- “RPA will replace my job.”
- “Only tech-savvy people will survive.”
- “Companies will use bots to cut costs and reduce headcount.”
While these concerns aren't baseless, they rarely tell the full story.
The Truth: RPA and AI are Both Disruptive and Transformative
Yes, Some Jobs Will Change (and Disappear)
It would be disingenuous to claim that RPA and AI won’t displace certain roles—especially those heavily reliant on repetitive, manual tasks. Jobs in data entry, transaction processing, or routine reporting are prime candidates for automation.
However, history has shown that when old roles vanish, new ones often emerge. The key is understanding how RPA is shifting the nature of work, not eliminating it outright.
But Many More Jobs Will Be Enhanced
RPA and AI is not just about elimination; it’s about augmentation.
Here’s how:
- Liberating employees from mundane tasks so they can focus on more strategic, creative, or interpersonal work.
- Reducing human error, improving compliance, and speeding up workflows.
- Creating new job categories, such as RPA developers, automation analysts, bot supervisors, and process designers.
In short, RPA and AI can make human jobs more meaningful by removing the drudgery.
Real-World Example: RPA and AI in Action
Cevitr’s clients come from a broad range of sectors such as charities, marketing, construction, hospitality, and retail. We spend time understanding our clients challenges and create solutions to save them time and money.
Whether you’re looking to automate your expenses claims, invoicing, or sales reconciliation, our digital worker, Jo, can take the pain out of your mundane repetitive computer-based tasks, allowing your team to spend more time on higher-value tasks. Our digital worker, Jo, works 24/7 with no need to take a break, is accurate, and can complete tasks in a fraction of the time of human workers.
The Human-Automation Partnership
Rather than framing RPA and AI as a battle between humans and machines, think of it as a collaboration. When implemented thoughtfully, RPA and AI can be a powerful enabler:
- Employees can do higher-value work
- Companies can scale more efficiently
- Customers can receive faster, more accurate service
Preparing for the RPA and AI Future
To thrive in a world increasingly influenced by automation:
- Stay curious and adaptable – Learn new tools and processes.
- Develop soft skills – Creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking are hard to automate.
- Embrace continuous learning – Upskilling and reskilling are no longer optional—they’re essential.
Conclusion
RPA and AI aren’t a villain or a hero—they’re a tool. Like all tools, its impact depends on how we use it.
Yes, it will change jobs. But if businesses focus on reskilling, and if individuals remain agile and growth-minded, RPA can be a job enhancer rather than a job killer.
The real risk isn’t automation—it’s standing still while the world moves forward.
What’s your take? Has your organization embraced RPA and AI? If you’d like to find out more about how RPA and AI can help your business contact us to find out more.
