Your Boss Was Replaced by a Robot and Everyone Was Happier

Behind the success of the first AI leader

Brian had not taken a vacation in three years. His to-do list never got any shorter, and he never felt comfortable leaving his team. After the company instituted mandatory PTO, Brian packed his bags and booked a ticket to Cancun.

“I know you’re uncomfortable with this, Judy, but Larry wants the management teams back filling their vacation time with robots,” he said.

Judy, one of the six members of Brian’s team, felt uneasy with the concept of a non-human boss.

“This is weird. The thing isn’t even human. Is it going to sit there and monitor us?” she complained.

“I don’t know Judy,” replied Brian, packing his briefcase. “I’m sure this idea will be just as bad as the AI toothbrush — I wouldn’t worry too much.”

Brian left the office feeling mildly amused. There was no way a robot could do his job. “A robot boss,” he muttered as he laughed to himself on the elevator.

QX4 sat down at Brian’s desk and connected to his computer. It had prompted itself: “You are Brian, a 44-year-old middle manager who loves corporate jargon and Zoom meetings.”