数字和技术债务：企业和工人的无声负担

在快速的数字化过程中，组织面临着数字和技术债务的挑战，这阻碍了适应性和生产力。这些债务源于在没有适当评估的情况下仓促采用技术，导致设计不良的代码和过时的系统的积累。本文探讨了这些债务对现代工人的影响，讨论了它们带来的领导力挑战，并强调了人工智能 (AI) 在解决这些问题方面的潜力。人工智能驱动的分析可以查明需要改进的领域并加强决策，同时还有助于自动化任务和简化流程。通过采用人工智能并通过技能提升和再培训计划优先考虑以人为本的可持续发展，组织可以减轻数字债务负担并培育持续学习和成长的文化。

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

数字和技术债务：压垮组织和员工的不言而喻的负担

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.

在不懈追求数字化转型的过程中，由于担心落后于行业趋势，组织常常会屈服于仓促收购多个平台和技术的诱惑。然而，这种下意识的反应可能会导致一种被称为数字和技术债务的隐性负担，这是一种无声的破坏者，会破坏长期目标并减少向客户提供的价值。

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.

数字债务是作者 David Heinemeier Hansson 创造的一个术语，指的是管理数字任务（例如电子邮件、视频通话和聊天平台）所花费的时间和精力的积累，这妨碍了核心工作职责。这种数字洪流阻碍了创造性思维、解决问题和深入工作，导致效率降低和员工倦怠。

Technical debt, on the other hand, encompasses various software development aspects like poorly designed code and outdated technologies, accumulating over time with detrimental effects on system maintenance, enhancement, and scalability.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U.S. $2.41 trillion a year in cybersecurity and operational failures, failed development projects, and maintenance of outdated systems.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，技术债务涵盖了软件开发的各个方面，例如设计不当的代码和过时的技术，随着时间的推移不断积累，对系统维护、增强和可扩展性产生不利影响。根据赫布·克拉斯纳 (Herb Krasner) 的一份报告，修复这笔债务需要惊人的 1.52 万亿美元，并且每年因网络安全和运营故障、失败的开发项目以及过时系统的维护而给美国造成 2.41 万亿美元的损失。

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.

数字和技术债务的后果超出了组织影响，影响员工的福祉并降低生产力。现代员工面临着无数阻碍生产力和福祉的数字干扰。不断需要保持联系并对消息做出迅速反应会扰乱深度工作和创造性思维，导致效率降低。

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/供应链等行业受到的影响尤其严重，有效、及时的沟通在其日常运营中发挥着至关重要的作用。快速交付的压力、缺乏沟通、对遗留系统的依赖以及文档不足都会导致数字和技术债务的积累。

Leadership Challenges

领导力挑战

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.

领导者面临着平衡短期收益与长期可持续性、促进问责制以及团队内部持续改进的艰巨任务。数字债务的增加阻碍了组织的敏捷性，增加了维护成本，增加了失败的风险，并降低了员工的士气，凸显了有效领导管理债务积累的必要性。

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.

领导者不应追逐最新的趋势和平台，而应关注员工以及不仅为客户而且为员工开展业务的便利性。效率低下、错误和士气低落都是乏味、重复和缺乏灵感的行动的结果，而这些行动却以创新为代价。

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

人工智能在解决数字债务和增强人类可持续发展方面的作用

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.

在数字和技术债务带来的挑战中，人工智能 (AI) 成为希望的灯塔，提供了自动化任务、简化流程和增强决策的机会。人工智能驱动的分析可以查明需要改进的领域、预测未来的问题并指导战略决策。通过利用人工智能，组织可以优化其数字基础设施并提高运营效率。

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.

与假设相反，人工智能并不是失业的先兆，而是员工赋权的催化剂。微软的一项调查发现，80% 的受访者会使用人工智能来计划他们的一天，79% 的人觉得使用人工智能作为分析工具很舒服。另一个有趣的事实是，73% 的人会将人工智能用于创意目的。

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.

组织必须优先考虑以人为本的可持续发展，投资于员工技能提升和再培训，让个人为数字化转型做好准备。这将培养持续学习和成长的文化。根据微软的报告，82% 的领导者表示，他们的员工需要新技能，为人工智能的发展做好准备。

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.

在一个数字干扰和技术负担似乎始终存在的世界中，解决方案可能在于一个意想不到的盟友：人工智能。人工智能可以简化流程、增强决策能力，并最终帮助减轻系统和员工的负担。想象一下，在一个工作场所，人工智能不仅可以处理日常任务，还可以帮助规划创造性的工作，帮助人们轻松高效地度过一天。这种观点的转变标志着领导者有一个深刻的机会，可以将人工智能视为创新和可持续发展的催化剂，而不是对就业保障的威胁。

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.

人工智能的真正力量不在于其自动化任务的能力，而在于其增强人类体验的潜力。通过利用人工智能解决数字债务并促进人类可持续发展，组织可以为未来铺平道路，让技术成为正义的力量，使个人能够在不断发展的数字环境中蓬勃发展。