In this video, Phil Parker at INSEAD argues for the use of computer programs / algorithms to help answer questions that have typically been done by academics; citing a computers ability to search through mounds of data and find trends and commonalities. He further argues that asking good and interesting questions will become increasingly important.
Regardless of what one might think about this question, there is little doubt that academics will meet dynamic and changing set of requirements in the future; and will have to learn and adapt to stay current. All I have to say is:
How beauteous technology is! O brave new world,
That has such algorithms in ‘t!