The fear of AI taking away our jobs is still very much alive. Yet according to Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz, this should not be our main concern. As he argues in his book, the greater risk is that we become irrelevant in a world dominated by algorithms. How can we avoid this? And how can we turn this threat into an opportunity? These are the questions Prof. Kowalkiewicz will address in his keynote at the upcoming Masters & Robots 2025.
Digital Minions in the Algorithmic Economy
Not so long ago, it was us – humans – who decided how to use algorithms. Today, the situation has reversed. Algorithms have become pervasive forces managing our businesses, our money, and even our decisions. In some cases, our health depends on them. But does that mean people have lost all control over their lives? Quite the opposite.
In his new book “The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions”, Prof. Kowalkiewicz seeks to challenge the fear surrounding AI. To do this, he introduces the idea of “digital minions” – small, mischievous assistants that require human supervision. According to Prof. Kowalkiewicz, these digital minions are algorithms and AI tools. Left unchecked, they can wreak havoc. And, just like the Minions from popular culture, they are only competent in very narrow tasks.
He even encourages us to think of algorithms as our “servants.” In English, the word minion also carries this meaning. From this perspective, AI tools become digital workers taking care of the grunt work, while humans remain the managers. This is why, in Kowalkiewicz’s view, understanding and mastering AI tools is crucial. Only then can humans stay relevant in the future.
You can hear more about the concept of digital minions on 21st October in Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz’s talk at Masters & Robots. This will also mark the official launch of the Polish edition of his book.
The talk is part of the Digital Transformation track, powered by HPE/Intel and Rockwell Automation.
Masters & Robots 2025: Who is Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz?
Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz is a scientist, bestselling author, and one of the world’s top 100 thinkers in the field of AI. He is Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane.
Before joining QUT, he led innovation teams in Silicon Valley as Senior Director at SAP, headed SAP’s Machine Learning Lab in Singapore, and worked as a researcher at Microsoft Research Asia.
He has over 15 years of experience in the business software industry, a decade in academia, and holds several patents. He is the author of “The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions”. Privately, he is an avid long-distance mountain runner.