What is an accurate description of automation?

• A. the shift of tasks from humans to technology applications
• B. the replacement of humans by machines to perform tasks
• C. the shift of tasks that require judgement and experience to technology
• D. the use of technology to cut headcount and costs

Answer: (A)

Automation is using technology applications to carry out tasks that people used to do, shifting those tasks from humans to machines, software, or systems so processes run with less manual intervention. This framing covers the broad idea that technology handles work that was once performed by people, often bringing more consistency and speed.

This is the best description because it captures the overall movement of work from human effort to automated systems without prescribing a specific outcome. It isn’t limited to replacing people or to automating only judgment-based tasks, and it doesn’t assume the goal is to cut headcount or costs—the focus is on the transfer of tasks to technology itself.

Other options hint at common outcomes or special cases (like replacement of workers or only judgment-heavy tasks) but they don’t define automation as broadly or precisely as the shift of tasks to technology.