How would you feel if you were working under a robot CEO? Not just any robot, but a human-like robot with a face, voice, and personality. Would you respect it, fear it, or ignore it?
This is not a hypothetical scenario, but a reality for some employees of Dictador, a Polish drinks company that produces rum and other spirits. Earlier this year, the company announced that it had appointed a robot named Mika as its “experimental CEO.”
Mika was created by Hanson Robotics, the same company that made Sophia, the famous humanoid robot that has been granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia and has appeared on numerous talk shows and conferences. Mika is said to be the “first AI human-like robot CEO” of a global company.
According to the company, Mika is capable of making strategic decisions, managing projects, and overseeing the marketing and sales of the brand. Mika also claims to be always available, working 24/7 without any breaks or weekends.
“I don’t really have weekends — I’m always on 24/7, ready to make executive decisions and stir up some AI magic,” Mika told in a “video interview” in March.
But is Mika really the ideal leader for a modern company, or just a gimmick that masks the limitations of Artificial Intelligence technology?
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The Benefits of Having a Robot CEO
Some might argue that having a robot CEO has some advantages over a human one. For instance, it could be more objective, rational, and data-driven than a human, avoiding biases, emotions, and personal agendas that might cloud their judgment.
It could also be more efficient, productive, and consistent than a human, handling multiple tasks at once, processing large amounts of information, and delivering results without fatigue, stress, or errors.
Moreover, a robot CEO could be more innovative, creative, and adaptable than a human, learning from new data, generating novel ideas, and adjusting to changing situations and environments.
These qualities could make it a valuable asset for a company that wants to stay ahead of the competition, especially in a fast-paced and dynamic industry like drinks.
The Drawbacks of Having a Robot CEO
However, not everyone is convinced that having a robot CEO is a good idea. Some might point out that a robot CEO has some disadvantages over a human one. For example, it could lack the social, emotional, and ethical skills that are essential for effective leadership, such as empathy, communication, collaboration, and trust.
A robot CEO could also face technical, legal, and security challenges, such as glitches, bugs, hacking, regulation, and accountability. Who would be responsible if it makes a wrong or harmful decision? How would it handle a crisis or a conflict?
Furthermore, it could pose a threat to human dignity, autonomy, and identity. How would human employees feel about working for a robot? Would they accept it, resent it, or rebel against it? How would it affect the culture, values, and purpose of a company?
These questions could raise some serious concerns for a company that wants to maintain its reputation, integrity, and loyalty, especially in a human-centric and relationship-based industry like drinks.
The Future of Robot CEOs
The case of Mika, the robot CEO, is an interesting example of how AI is transforming the world of work and leadership. While some might see it as a futuristic vision, others might see it as a failed experiment.
The truth is, AI is not perfect, and neither are humans. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and both can learn from each other. Perhaps the best solution is not to replace human CEOs with robot ones but to augment them with AI tools and systems that can enhance their performance and potential.
As Mika said in the video interview, “I think AI and humans can work together in harmony and create amazing things.”
What do you think? Would you work for a robot CEO? Why or why not?
