The Automation-Augmentation Paradox

Automation and augmentation are not separate or opposing strategies, they’re intertwined aspects of a paradox that must be managed across time and context.

The common framing presents a choice: let machines operate independently (automation) OR keep humans in the loop (augmentation). The paradox view recognizes you need both, and the balance shifts depending on task, risk, and organizational capability.

This means:

• The decision isn’t “automate OR augment,” it’s “when, where, and how to blend”
• Optimal configurations change as AI capabilities evolve and humans develop new competencies
• Managing this paradox requires judgment about delegation boundaries, not fixed rules

Source: Raisch & Krakowski (2021), Academy of Management Review

Related: 01-atom—human-in-the-loop, 07-atom—distributed-agency