數位和技術債：企業和工人的無聲負擔

在快速的數位化過程中，組織面臨著數位和技術債的挑戰，這阻礙了適應性和生產力。這些債務源於在沒有適當評估的情況下倉促採用技術，導致設計不良的代碼和過時的系統的累積。本文探討了這些債務對現代工人的影響，討論了它們帶來的領導力挑戰，並強調了人工智慧 (AI) 在解決這些問題方面的潛力。人工智慧驅動的分析可以找出需要改進的領域並加強決策，同時也有助於自動化任務和簡化流程。透過採用人工智慧並透過技能提升和再培訓計劃優先考慮以人為本的可持續發展，組織可以減輕數位債務負擔並培育持續學習和成長的文化。

Digital and Technical Debt: The Unspoken Burden Weighing Down Organizations and Employees

數位和技術債：壓垮組織和員工的不言而喻的負擔

In the relentless pursuit of digital transformation, organizations often succumb to the temptation of hastily acquiring multiple platforms and technologies, driven by the fear of falling behind industry trends. However, this knee-jerk reaction can lead to a hidden burden known as digital and technical debt, a silent saboteur that undermines long-term goals and diminishes value delivery to customers.

在不懈追求數位轉型的過程中，由於擔心落後於產業趨勢，組織常常屈服於倉促收購多個平台和技術的誘惑。然而，這種下意識的反應可能會導致一種被稱為數位和技術債的隱性負擔，這是一種無聲的破壞者，會破壞長期目標並減少向客戶提供的價值。

Digital debt, a term coined by author David Heinemeier Hansson, refers to the accumulation of time and energy spent managing digital tasks, such as emails, video calls, and chat platforms, which impedes core job responsibilities. This digital deluge obstructs creative thinking, problem-solving, and deep work, leading to reduced efficiency and employee burnout.

數位債務是作者 David Heinemeier Hansson 創造的術語，指的是管理數位任務（例如電子郵件、視訊通話和聊天平台）所花費的時間和精力的積累，這妨礙了核心工作職責。這種數位洪流阻礙了創造性思維、解決問題和深入工作，導致效率降低和員工倦怠。

Technical debt, on the other hand, encompasses various software development aspects like poorly designed code and outdated technologies, accumulating over time with detrimental effects on system maintenance, enhancement, and scalability. According to a report by Herb Krasner, this debt would require a staggering $1.52 trillion to fix and costs the U.S. $2.41 trillion a year in cybersecurity and operational failures, failed development projects, and maintenance of outdated systems.

另一方面，技術債涵蓋了軟體開發的各個方面，例如設計不當的程式碼和過時的技術，隨著時間的推移不斷積累，對系統維護、增強和可擴展性產生不利影響。根據 Herb Krasner 的一份報告，修復這筆債務需要驚人的1.52 兆美元，並且每年因網路安全和營運故障、失敗的開發項目以及過時系統的維護而給美國造成2.41 兆美元的損失。

The consequences of digital and technical debt extend beyond organizational impacts, affecting the well-being of employees and decreasing productivity. Modern workers navigate myriad digital distractions that hinder productivity and well-being. The incessant need to stay connected and react promptly to messages disrupts deep work and creative thinking, leading to reduced efficiency.

數位和技術債的後果超出了組織影響，影響員工的福祉並降低生產力。現代員工面臨著無數阻礙生產力和福祉的數位幹擾。不斷需要保持聯繫並對訊息做出迅速反應會擾亂深度工作和創造性思維，導致效率降低。

Industries like logistics/supply chain are particularly impacted, with effective and timely communication playing a crucial role in their daily operations. Pressure to deliver quickly, lack of communication, reliance on legacy systems, and inadequate documentation contribute to the accumulation of digital and technological debt.

物流/供應鏈等行業受到的影響尤其嚴重，有效、及時的溝通在其日常營運中發揮著至關重要的作用。快速交付的壓力、缺乏溝通、對遺留系統的依賴以及文件不足都會導致數位和技術債的累積。

Leadership Challenges

領導力挑戰

Leaders face the daunting task of balancing short-term gains with long-term sustainability, promoting accountability, and continuous improvement within their teams. Increasing digital debt hampers organizational agility, raises maintenance costs, heightens the risk of failures, and diminishes employee morale, highlighting the imperative for effective leadership in managing debt accumulation.

領導者面臨著平衡短期收益與長期永續性、促進問責制以及團隊內部持續改善的艱鉅任務。數位債務的增加阻礙了組織的敏捷性，增加了維護成本，增加了失敗的風險，並降低了員工的士氣，凸顯了有效領導管理債務累積的必要性。

Rather than chasing the newest trends and platforms, leaders should focus on their employees and the ease of doing business not only for the customers but also for employees. Inefficiencies, mistakes, and demotivation are all results of dull, repetitive, and uninspiring actions that go at the cost of innovation.

領導者不應追逐最新的趨勢和平台，而應關注員工以及不僅為客戶而且為員工開展業務的便利性。效率低下、錯誤和士氣低落都是乏味、重複和缺乏靈感的行動的結果，而這些行動卻以創新為代價。

The Role of AI in Resolving Digital Debt and Enhancing Human Sustainability

人工智慧在解決數位債務和增強人類永續發展方面的作用

Amidst the challenges posed by digital and technical debt, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a beacon of hope, presenting opportunities to automate tasks, streamline processes, and enhance decision-making. AI-powered analytics can pinpoint areas for improvement, predict future problems, and guide strategic decision-making. By harnessing AI, organizations can optimize their digital infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency.

在數位和技術債帶來的挑戰中，人工智慧 (AI) 成為希望的燈塔，提供了自動化任務、簡化流程和增強決策的機會。人工智慧驅動的分析可以找出需要改進的領域、預測未來的問題並指導策略決策。透過利用人工智慧，組織可以優化其數位基礎設施並提高營運效率。

Contrary to assumptions, AI is not a harbinger of job losses but rather a catalyst for employee empowerment. A survey by Microsoft found that 80% of people surveyed would use AI to plan their day, and 79% feel comfortable using AI for analytical tools. Another fascinating fact is that 73% would use AI for creative purposes.

與假設相反，人工智慧並不是失業的先兆，而是員工賦權的催化劑。微軟的一項調查發現，80% 的受訪者會使用人工智慧來規劃他們的一天，79% 的人覺得使用人工智慧作為分析工具很舒服。另一個有趣的事實是，73% 的人會將人工智慧用於創意目的。

Organizations must prioritize human-centric sustainability by investing in employee upskilling and reskilling to prepare individuals for the digital transformation. This will foster a culture of continuous learning and growth. According to the Microsoft report, 82% of leaders say their employees will need new skills to be prepared for the growth of AI.

組織必須優先考慮以人為本的永續發展，投資於員工技能提升和再培訓，讓個人為數位轉型做好準備。這將培養持續學習和成長的文化。根據微軟的報告，82% 的領導者表示，他們的員工需要新技能，為人工智慧的發展做好準備。

In a world where digital distractions and technological burdens seem ever-present, the solution might lie in an unexpected ally: artificial intelligence. AI can streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and ultimately help alleviate the burdens that weigh on both systems and employees. Imagine a workplace where AI not only handles mundane tasks but also aids in planning creative endeavors, helping individuals navigate their day with ease and efficiency. This shift in perspective signals a profound opportunity for leaders to embrace AI as a catalyst for innovation and sustainability, rather than a threat to job security.

在一個數位幹擾和技術負擔似乎始終存在的世界中，解決方案可能在於一個意想不到的盟友：人工智慧。人工智慧可以簡化流程、增強決策能力，並最終幫助減輕系統和員工的負擔。想像一下，在一個工作場所，人工智慧不僅可以處理日常任務​​，還可以幫助規劃創意的工作，幫助人們輕鬆有效地度過一天。這種觀點的轉變標誌著領導者有一個深刻的機會，可以將人工智慧視為創新和永續發展的催化劑，而不是對就業保障的威脅。

The true power of AI lies not in its ability to automate tasks but in its potential to enhance the human experience. By harnessing AI to tackle digital debt and promote human sustainability, organizations can pave the way for a future where technology serves as a force for good, empowering individuals to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

人工智慧的真正力量不在於其自動化任務的能力，而在於其增強人類經驗的潛力。透過利用人工智慧解決數位債務並促進人類永續發展，組織可以為未來鋪平道路，讓科技成為正義的力量，使個人能夠在不斷發展的數位環境中蓬勃發展。