So there’s something I need to get off my chest, and if I post it on my LinkedIn it would be career suicide at my level.

In a company, the largest line item by far is usually payroll. I have been at a number of companies that are trying to cut costs and don’t care if you come up with the correct amount via other OpEx categories, they want headcount reduced because “it’s so much”.

So along comes the promise of a computer bot that understands the normal person and also:

• Does not require sick/vacation time
• Does not take FMLA
• Does not want a bonus/profit sharing/equity
• Don’t have to pay unemployment taxes, Medicare or SSI
• Does not require them to spend money on health insurance
• Will not form a union
• Wont ever file a lawsuit for any number of reasons
• Will work 24/7

And this right there is the exact reason so many CEOs are salivating at the idea of AI. Not for worker efficiency, not for any number of “positive” benefits they may taut, but they finally have a glimpse of the chance to rid themselves of one of the largest headaches that they perceive in a company.