You’ve probably heard that in this day and age, it’s not about how hard you work, but how smart you work. Cliche, I know, and artificial intelligence (AI), is the latest technology enabler that promises “smarter” work.

Putting those doomsday or end-of-the-world (too many movies to reference), AI is not designed to replace human ingenuity but to enhance it. For many employees, the day is divided between primary tasks—those core responsibilities that drive business goals—and secondary tasks, the necessary but often time-consuming activities that support those primary objectives.

Imagine if AI could take over these secondary tasks, freeing up time and mental energy for employees to focus on what really matters. The result? A more efficient, motivated workforce that can dedicate itself to strategic, creative, and high-impact work.

This article will explore how AI can be your silent partner, handling the mundane while you focus on the extraordinary.

When you know which tasks can be replaced by AI, it will allow you to reprioritize your focus!

Understanding Primary and Secondary Tasks

These secondary tasks, while essential, can eat up significant time—time that could be better spent on activities that directly drive growth and innovation.

Every role in a company is a balancing act between primary and secondary tasks.

For example, a sales executive’s primary task is to close deals and build relationships. But there’s also the secondary task of managing CRM data and scheduling follow-ups.

A marketing manager focuses on crafting campaigns and brand strategies while also juggling the secondary tasks of monitoring analytics and coordinating with vendors.

The same goes for the HR manager, who is primarily responsible for talent acquisition and employee development but also spends significant time on secondary tasks like organizing interviews, processing payroll, and maintaining employee records.

Similarly, a finance executive focuses on financial strategy and planning as their core responsibility, yet they must also manage secondary tasks such as data reconciliation, invoice processing, and preparing detailed financial reports.

These secondary tasks, while essential, can eat up significant time—time that could be better spent on activities that directly drive growth and innovation. Research from the McKinsey Global Institute shows that employees spend an average of 28% of their workweek on administrative tasks, which AI could easily handle, allowing them to focus on more strategic activities.

Everyone can now have an assistant!

How AI Handles Secondary Tasks

Entrusting AI to take on secondary tasks is not tomorrow’s promise, but today’s reality.

AI’s ability to take on secondary tasks isn’t just a futuristic promise; it’s a present-day reality.

Let’s take a closer look at how AI can manage these tasks across different roles:

• For Sales Executives: AI tools like Salesforce’s Einstein can automate CRM updates, predict the best times to reach out to leads, and even draft personalized emails. This automation means sales teams spend less time on data entry and more time closing deals.
• For Marketing Managers: AI-driven platforms like HubSpot can automatically track campaign performance, optimize ad spending in real-time, and even generate content ideas based on trending topics. The outcome? Marketers can focus on crafting compelling narratives and innovative strategies rather than sifting through data.
• For HR Executives: AI can streamline recruitment by scanning resumes, scheduling interviews, and even conducting initial assessments through chatbots. Tools like HireVue use AI to evaluate video interviews, saving HR teams countless hours.

These are just a few examples of how AI takes over the administrative load, enabling employees to focus on the high-impact aspects of their jobs, i.e. their Primary Tasks. Accenture’s “How AI Boosts Industry Profits and Innovation,” report states that companies that have embraced AI for these tasks report a 20% increase in productivity, proving that the right tools can make all the difference.

The Positive Impact on Primary Tasks

This AI shift not only boosts productivity but also enhances job satisfaction.

When AI handles secondary tasks, employees can focus on their primary responsibilities—those that require human creativity, critical thinking, and relationship-building skills.

Consider Amirah, the finance manager who, thanks to AI, spends less time on data reconciliation and more time on financial forecasting and strategy.

Or Jonathan, a marketing manager who is freed from the constant monitoring of analytics, can now focus on developing a brand’s voice and crafting campaigns that resonate with the audience on a deeper level.

Similarly, Veni, the 6-month-old B2B business development executive, can now shift her focus from routine tasks like prospecting and lead qualification, which AI can efficiently automate, to building deeper relationships with key accounts and developing strategies for entering new markets.

This shift not only boosts productivity but also enhances job satisfaction. Employees like Amirah, Jonathan and Veni are more engaged when they can dedicate their energy to meaningful work rather than getting bogged down by routine tasks. A study by Deloitte found that companies using AI to support their employees saw a 15% increase in employee satisfaction.

Reassuring Employees: AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement

AI is most effective when it works alongside humans, not in place of them.

One of the biggest concerns surrounding AI is the fear of job replacement.

But the reality is that AI is most effective when it works alongside humans, not in place of them. AI excels at processing large amounts of data, automating repetitive tasks, and providing insights that inform decision-making.

However, it lacks the human qualities of judgment, empathy, and creativity—traits that are irreplaceable in many roles.

For example, while AI can analyze sales trends, it’s the sales executive like Amirul who builds the relationship and closes the deal. AI can provide insights for marketing strategies, but it’s Jonathan, the marketing manager, who understands the nuances of brand storytelling.

Furthermore, AI’s ability to handle secondary tasks means that employees have more opportunities to develop their skills, take on new challenges, and advance in their careers. Rather than fearing AI, employees should embrace it as a tool that enhances their capabilities and makes their work more fulfilling.

The Future of Work: Embracing AI for Career Growth

Roles that require complex problem-solving, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence will become even more valuable.

As AI continues to evolve, so will the nature of work. The tasks that AI handles today might be different from those it will manage in the future, and the skills needed to work alongside AI will also change. This evolution presents a tremendous opportunity for career growth.

For instance, roles that require complex problem-solving, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence will become even more valuable. As AI handles more of the routine tasks, professionals can focus on honing these skills, positioning themselves as indispensable assets to their organizations.

Moreover, new job categories will emerge—roles that we can’t even imagine today. Just as the digital revolution created jobs that didn’t exist 20 years ago, AI will open up new possibilities for those willing to adapt and learn.

Let 2024 Be The Year of AI Partnerships

AI is not here to take over but to take on the tasks that hold you back. By automating secondary tasks, AI frees up time and mental space, allowing you to focus on what truly matters in your role.

Whether you’re a sales, marketing, or HR professional, or in any other role, AI can be your partner in productivity, helping you achieve more while doing what you love.

As we move forward, it’s crucial to embrace AI not as a competitor but as a collaborator. The future of work is not about man versus machine but about how man and machine can work together to achieve greater heights. So, let AI handle the mundane, and you focus on making an impact.