The Brookings Institution recently published a study on drones — the flying computers used to conduct surveillance and arm-chair warfare, so that pilots are never put at risk. Of increasing concern, according to the study, is the possibility of drones “going rogue,” either through mishandled technology or retasking by enemies. The prospect of “drones gone wild” and potentially wreaking havoc on U.S. soil suggests that “low-cost,” remotely piloted alternatives may be risky.
Employers are experiencing a low-tech version of such unintended consequences. Much like the U.S. military delegates certain tasks to machines, employers have outsourced certain human resource operations with an eye toward efficiency and cost savings. But like the military, many are finding that ceding control may come at a greater cost than expected.
