Reclaiming humanity: a manifesto for management in the age of AI

The management landscape is currently going through a substantial transition on a global basis. As a result of the growing interconnection of the globe, which is a significant characteristic of the 21st century, there is an urgent need to reevaluate the management best practices that we utilise to successfully prepare individuals for the future in workplaces that are becoming more globalised and digitalised. A re-evaluation is required, since this is an unquestionable need that must be met. 

An important conundrum has surfaced as we move into industry 4.0. To guarantee that development will be maintained over time, it is necessary to implement management practices that take a more humanistic approach, although management tools are getting increasingly sophisticated due to the rise of digitalisation and AI. 

Prioritising people over profit

To address this shift, it is vital for leaders and management students to renounce models that prioritise financial gain and instead adopt a management philosophy that emphasises human dignity and environmental sustainability. This is necessary to confront this new transition in management.

A humanistic approach is not a soft skill. This approach asserts that employees should never be seen as solely a means to an end; it is not humanistic if leaders treat employees as tools to complete a process, such as obtaining financial success or boosting productivity. Employees should be regarded as ends in themselves, indicating that leaders must prioritise the pursuit of wealth to satisfy human needs. 

This approach views the organisation as a ‘community of individuals’, encompassing a self-aware and self-directed workforce who are accountable for their actions. It prioritises individual growth, the cultivation of meaningful relationships, societal contribution and the fulfilment of fundamental human needs. While the principal criterion for assessing an employee’s success in traditional management is their productivity level, humanistic management emphasises the significance of the individual.

Digital humanism

The notion of humanism has evolved into a multifaceted aspect of digital existence over its history. ‘Digital humanism’ emerged as a response to the numerous technical breakthroughs of the contemporary era. The term ‘digital’ does not inherently denote development; it necessitates ongoing dialogue among individuals to enhance the process.