Downloadable Employees: Agentic AI in the Workforce
Downloadable Employees: Agentic AI in the Workforce
Heathrow and Capita are already trialling AI agents that operate like staff on call 24/7. Advocates hail efficiency, but critics fear job deskilling and fragile accountability.
Why It Matters
If AI agents handle tickets, emails, and scheduling, who is responsible when things go wrong? The legal and ethical vacuum around “AI coworkers” is widening.
Counterpoint
Automation of repetitive roles frees humans for creative work. “Downloadable” staff may be less a threat, more an assistant.
Try This in 30 Minutes
- Map tasks your team repeats weekly.
- Test one with a low-risk AI agent.
- Document outcomes for oversight.
References
The Times — Get ready for downloadable employees, the next workforce revolution (Sept 2025).
*Sources linked above; analysis and mistakes are my own.*
