Disrupting the Future of Work
Workers are struggling. With disengagement, with ever more things to click on, and fewer reasons to come into the office and engage meaningfully with each other. Companies have started to search for the “destination office” because hybrid work makes the physical space of the office more important to group cohesion, not less. Highly educated, highly skilled, creative workers need to be understood and supported by the design of their physical workspaces in order to do their best work. Ugly Cyborg LLC foster inclusion and engagement through workshops, surveys, and experiences that bring creative, collaborative workers together even if they work far apart much of the time.
Making Automation Less Automatic
Instead of reaching for more screens and more automation, we argue for slow, warm, embodied processes and places. Sure, we use generative AI to create our Inkblots and depth psychology tools. Sure, you are reading this on a website. But we never forget to be Ugly Cyborgs: a hybrid of human and machine. Integration will happen but will it be inclusive? And will it help you flourish?
(Yes, I think that would be a great T Shirt too. Want to buy one?)
The architect or interior designer you worked with created a structure, but workers are still upset about that hum from the fridge and the bright pattern of that one chair. The light is too bright but also too dim. Workers are interrupted and distracted and feel more at home at home. That is where we come in. We coach you through the fine-turning of your space to make the lighting and seating suit your actual team.
A well-tempered office space
And by gathering to talk about the irritants and ideals, workers come together and learn about each other. Preferences and pet peeves become shared ground and as the office gets better, they feel included and empowered to be a team.
In 1948, Dr. Frederick D. Mott and Dr. Milton I. Roemer wrote about the “cultural gap” between rapidly accelerating technologies and the way of life of the average American. As you see everyday, the gap is ongoing. Maybe even getting wider. It seems like even the companies designing LLMs aren’t sure what they do or how they should best be used. Your friend has fallen in love with a chatbot but your neighbor only has a flip phone. The gap is interpersonal as much as it is individual.
So no wonder your workers are resistant. No wonder they feel alienation where you’d hoped for enthusiasm. We can help lead conversations about where automation is helpful and where reviewing the bots is alienating and costing productivity. Want more engaged workers? Let’s ask them how they’d like to work.
Feeling the resistance against automation of knowledge work?
Are your workers resisting AI tools? So are we. Are you trying to use the new tech but it’s costing productivity rather than enhancing? Interested in learning more about why workers resist and how a better blend might be designed?
Ready to Learn More?
Got a question about your own human / tech hybrids? Find out how we help.