Artificial Intelligence Is Transitioning Into a ‘Digital Employee’

When Salem Bagami co-founded Metatalent, he wasn’t just building another HR tech company. He was betting on a fundamental shift in how humans and machines would work together. That bet is paying off now, as artificial intelligence evolves from a tool we use into something more akin to a colleague—a “digital employee” that shows up to work, handles tasks, and collaborates with human teams.

“AI has gone beyond being merely an executive tool to becoming a ‘digital employee’ entrusted with automating routine tasks and providing insights based on data analysis.” — Mohammad Al-Jallad, Chief Technologist at HPE

The Rise of the Virtual Colleague

The transformation is happening faster than many predicted. Across industries, AI systems are taking on responsibilities that once required human intervention—processing data, generating reports, handling customer inquiries, and even participating in strategic decision-making. But unlike previous waves of automation that simply replaced human labor, this shift is creating a new category of worker entirely.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as an unexpected laboratory for this transition. Through Vision 2030 and massive investments in smart infrastructure, the Kingdom is providing a living model for studying the implications of human-machine partnerships on the future of work. Business leaders across the region report that the “virtual employee”—available around the clock, immune to fatigue, capable of processing vast datasets in seconds—is already eliminating the need for some traditional roles.

What the Partnership Actually Looks Like

The division of labor is becoming clearer. Machines excel at processing big data, performing repetitive tasks with precision, and maintaining consistent availability. Humans bring creativity, emotional intelligence, and nuanced decision-making to the table. The ideal relationship, according to Bagami, is one of collaboration where each complements the other.

The skill shift is already visible in job postings. Skills like “prompt engineering,” “human-machine integration,” and “digital ethics” are becoming increasingly important. AI has effectively become an instantly available technical knowledge base, shifting professional distinction toward those capable of smart interaction with these technologies.

The productivity equation is changing. Ali Aljumhour, CEO of VALUE Consultancy, notes that performance evaluation standards are shifting from measuring individual effort to evaluating the quality of the partnership between humans and machines. The focus is moving toward the quality of inputs provided to intelligent systems, the accuracy of review and modification, and complex decision-making based on outputs.

“The real opportunity lies not in the debate over job replacement, but in the convergence of human capital and artificial intelligence.” — Mohammad Al-Jallad

The Challenges Nobody Talks About

For all the optimism, significant hurdles remain. Over-reliance on AI systems poses risks when those systems fail or produce incorrect outputs. Determining responsibility for mistakes becomes complicated when decisions involve both human and machine input. And experienced employees face what Aljumhour identifies as the biggest concerns: “fear, loss of power, and exclusivity of knowledge.”

Ethical questions are multiplying faster than governance frameworks can address them. Transparency, accountability, and fairness must be built into these systems from the ground up. Diverse datasets are essential to prevent bias. Privacy protections need to evolve alongside capabilities. Building trust between humans and machines requires clear explanations of how systems work, user feedback mechanisms, and periodic performance reviews.

Companies that hesitate to adopt AI may face existential risks. As Salem Alanazi, chairman of Jathwa Technology Co., warns: “All those who hesitated to benefit from AI applications have a lack of understanding of these technologies.” Those who adopt them will offer lower-cost, higher-quality services—affecting the market position of companies that lag behind.

The Interview Question of Tomorrow

The implications extend to hiring itself. Aljumhour expects fundamental changes in employment standards, with interview questions focusing on measuring skills in dealing with AI. Candidates may be asked about their experiences collaborating with these systems or tested on their ability to formulate effective requests for complex tasks.

It’s a strange inversion: humans are now being evaluated partly on their ability to work with their digital counterparts. The “digital employee” isn’t just joining the team—it’s changing what it means to be employable in the first place.

This article was reported by the ArtificialDaily editorial team. For more information, visit Arab News.