Traditional micro-managers are of the past. Organizations that long struggled with tedious email communication and several middlemen mediating the flow of day-to-day information, are now transferring to a new solution called: Workflow-automation. This entails the use of AI, Machine learning, and process intelligence to automate their workflows (KrishnaRahul, 2025).
Let me explain how it works:
Instead of sending an email to your colleague, if he could nicely finish his part of the project. An AI who is already familiar with the entire business process, will automatically send it to your colleague and instruct him what to do next.
Now you’re only task is to upload the output of your previous assigned task and the Ai will automatically track important KPI’s, Coordinate the project, update administration and summarise the progress. It could even schedule meetings at key discussion point’s, tailored to each person’s personal schedule (Karl, 2024)
It’s kind of like having an organisational brain. Eliminating the need for middle managers.
A little scary right? Well according to IBM in 2023 92% of executives already agreed on that their organization’s workflow will leverage different types of AI-enabled automation in the coming years (IBM, 2023), showing a clear direction companies are heading in for the future.
All the while this tool, and trend of efficiency is great for replacing most middle managers. There are some things an Ai can’t really bring to the table. For example empathy, the transferring of tacit skills and a true mentorship. Leaving us with questions of how management/leadership will change in the age of AI, and what value our own critical thinking brings to the table.
References:
The power of AI & Automation: Intelligent workflows. (2023, April 7). IBM. https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/automation-intelligent-workflows
KrishnaRahul. (2025, September 17). AI workflow Automation Trends for 2025: What businesses need to know. Cflow. https://www.cflowapps.com/ai-workflow-automation-trends-for-2025/
Karl, T. (2024, October 30). How AI is Transforming Communication: Top Benefits Explained. New Horizons. https://www.newhorizons.com/resources/blog/benefits-of-ai-in-communication
