Smart automation tools and artificial intelligence (AI) that automate daily tasks in an enterprise go hand-in-hand with job satisfaction, according to sentiment expressed by IT workers. The surprising results of a recent survey reported by arago GmbH reveal that IT workers not only welcome smart automation but a clear majority also identify concrete benefits these technologies bring that both complement and increase the efficiencies of their daily workload — rather than pose a threat of commandeering their jobs. Eighty-five percent of IT professionals said they have experienced or would expect smart automation to increase efficiency.
Spiceworks conducted the survey of IT professionals on behalf of arago, which offers intelligent automation solutions for enterprise IT, to examine IT professionals’ attitudes and experiences using smart automation with AI technology. The IT professionals polled expressed their desire to reduce menial tasks that tend to burn up their time and are non-stimulating. In that regard, 88 percent said they have experienced or would expect automation to free up their time so they can focus on more strategic initiatives. Contrary to popular impression, 93 percent do not believe automated IT tools put their jobs at risk and 91 percent do not believe automated IT tools are the beginning of an AI takeover.
“IT pros know that smart automation technology frees up their time, reduces the need for menial tasks and allows them to concentrate on innovative endeavors that are much more strategic to their employers and their own future. That shows the common narrative stating that IT Pros find smart automation a threat to their jobs, and that they are afraid of a machine takeover, are overblown. The reality is quite the opposite,” says Chris Boos, arago founder and CEO.
The two tasks most preferred by IT professionals are innovating technology/solutions (72 percent) and modernizing existing technology (63 percent). Two they would prefer to not spend time with are ticket documentation and reporting (59 percent) and routine maintenance (36 percent). In general, 85 percent reported that intellectually stimulating and learning/development activities are most important to their job satisfaction.
Cost and reliability emerged as the top concerns in automating IT functions, as 73 percent of IT professionals reported they are likely to consider automating processes, assigning to a machine the aspects of IT they least enjoy.
IT Professionals Evaluate Tasks
| IT Responsibility | Percent reporting this as a primary aspect of IT responsibility |
Percent of workday spent on it |
| Troubleshooting/assisting users | 92% | 35% |
| Modernizing technology | 92% | 16% |
| Doing routine maintenance | 91% | 16% |
| Planning/strategizing for future IT | 84% | 14% |
| Ticket documentation/reporting | 75% | 12% |
| Other | 10% | 7% |
Free-Time Preferences
If IT pros had more free time in their work day, this is how they would prefer to spend it.
| Task | Preferred by |
| Innovating technology/solutions | 72% |
| Modernizing existing technology | 63% |
| Training/development | 55% |
| Helping end-users | 13% |
| Doing routine maintenance | 8% |
| Other | 4% |
Best Use of Time and Talent
Benefits of Automation IT pros report they have experienced or would expect to experience these benefits by automating IT processes.
| Benefit | Cited by |
| More free time to focus on important IT initiatives | 88% |
| Increased efficiency | 85% |
| Faster problem solving | 54% |
| Reduced number of errors/compliance reinforcement | 54% |
| Increased job satisfaction | 49% |
| Increased recognition for advanced IT capabilities | 33% |
| Reduced need for outsourcing | 27% |
Source: arago GmbH
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