The Myth Of Autonomous Devices: Why Human Management Is Still Essential

The notion that autonomous devices can operate independently, free from human oversight, is a tantalizing prospect that has captured the imagination of many. However, Thomas Ryd, CEO and co-founder of Northern. tech, a leading device —cycle management company, argues that this idea is fundamentally flawed. Ryd posits that autonomous devices will always require human management, citing the critical importance of feedback loops in ensuring the success of any system.

In traditional device management, feedback loops are an essential component, allowing for the evaluation of performance and the implementation of changes. However, when it comes to AI-powered devices, the narrative shifts, with many companies expecting these devices to onboard themselves, evaluate their own performance, and improve without human intervention.

This expectation is misplaced, Ryd contends, as autonomous devices are not as self-sufficient as they seem. The process of deploying and managing AI-powered devices is not dissimilar from traditional devices. While AI-powered devices collect data at the edge, the computationally intensive work of model training occurs centrally, with edge data flowing back to OEMs for analysis, retraining, and deployment of updates.

The key difference, Ryd notes, lies in the criticality of the feedback loop. Even traditional device OEMs struggle with managing software versions, security updates, and fleet complexity at scale, ← →