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| • | Turning to robotics. Booming e-commerce, persistent worker shortages, and a vulnerable supply chain have led to surging investment in automating logistics. Retailers are spending billions on robotic arms, autonomous vehicles, and collaborative robots to speed operations in warehouses across the US. The movements of one humanoid robot, designed to perform warehouse tasks such as unloading boxes, was based on studying walking birds. Businesses are increasingly turning to automation as technology costs have come down. [NYT] | | | | • | Filling in the blanks. Software developers are among the most desired tech workers in the US, with more than 200,000 job openings in May. Much of their work is done manually, but a new tool powered by AI aims to take some of the tedium out of writing long lines of computer code. By predicting and filling in lines of code—similar to the predictive-text function on a smartphone—the coding bot can cut in half the amount of time it takes to develop an app. [WSJ] | | | | • | Growing adoption. In every region of the world, a growing share of companies are adopting automation technologies, find senior partner Rohit Sood and colleagues in our latest McKinsey Global Survey. Seventy percent of respondents say their companies are at least piloting automation in one or more business units or functions, up from 66% in 2020. But few are reaping the full potential of automation: less than one-fifth of respondents report that their organizations have already scaled automation technologies across much of the business. | | | | • | Changing skills. Survey responses show that the most common reasons for automating are to improve business processes’ effectiveness and to create better experiences for customers or employees. Respondents report many benefits from automation, including increased customer satisfaction. But as more tasks are automated, organizations will need workers with more advanced cognitive skills like critical thinking. Learn where successful companies are focusing their automation efforts, and what tools and technologies are most commonly used. | | | | — Edited by Belinda Yu | | This email contains information about McKinsey’s research, insights, services, or events. By opening our emails or clicking on links, you agree to our use of cookies and web tracking technology. For more information on how we use and protect your information, please review our privacy policy. | | You received this email because you subscribed to the On Point newsletter. | | | | Copyright © 2022 | McKinsey & Company, 3 World Trade Center, 175 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007 | | | |
