AI in the Workplace: So Much to Learn

Exploring AI’s Impact at ITEXPO

Last month, my colleague Tomas Sjostrom and I were invited to speak at ITEXPO, one of the largest technology-oriented trade shows in the U.S. While Tomas shared his formidable insights on cybersecurity, I was invited to participate in a panel discussion, “Update on AI Innovations: Use Cases and Skills Gap for the Future of Work.”

The session was part of the conference’s Future of Work track. What I learned during the discussion—and through conversations with other conference attendees afterwards—is that everyone expects really great things to happen through AI. However, nobody is certain how it will impact the workplace.

The Uncertainty Around AI’s Role in the Workplace

My fellow panelists, all technologists, had deep expertise in the development, engineering and productization of GenAI solutions. They were certainly smart and highly successful in their fields. But it was apparent in our session that every single panelist—including yours truly—appreciates and embraces the incredible efficiencies and capabilities of AI technology.

Yet, none of us can really gauge just how these AI tools will impact the workplace. And they will have an impact.

The Workforce of Tomorrow: Changing Expectations

The predictions shared during the session ran the gamut. From AI eventually eliminating jobs altogether to it serving as an economic engine that will require a workforce that is far more capable and tech-savvy than any previous generation. The next generation of talent knows their skills are coveted. They can literally pick the opportunity that satisfies lifestyle as well as compensation preferences.

Overcoming Employee Concerns About AI

And then there is the issue of the current workforce, which has been loyal and effective. It’s no secret that the notion of AI technology can intimidate workers, and result in significant morale problems and even hinder recruitment and retention.

Rather than take a wait-and-see approach with staff, businesses interested in adopting AI capabilities should now make the necessary preparations to help their workforce become comfortable with using these tools, and position it as an opportunity to be embraced, not feared.

Three Steps to Help Employees Become AI-Ready

To do this, businesses should adopt three simple steps to help their staff become AI-ready:

1. Define: Identify AI’s Role in Your Organization

Businesses should identify the operational areas that will most benefit from AI technology. Deploy and test. Keep things simple. Many organizations use the technology to automate mundane tasks, like providing basic customer support and account information through automated tools. For industrial organizations, AI capabilities are proving to be beneficial in manufacturing and logistics.

It’s important to let employees know that automation is being applied to handle time-consuming tasks and free them up to work on more strategic and complex initiatives.

2. Educate: Equip Employees with New Skills

The introduction of AI requires new skill sets to harness this powerful technology. Increased automation will inevitably reshape job responsibilities. Companies should be mindful that roles and tasks will likely shift. Also, it’s important to offer existing employees an opportunity to learn the new skills that will be required.

Offering re-training sends a powerful message to current and potential employees. It illustrates that the company values its staff and is investing in their continued success.

3. Communicate: Foster Transparency About AI’s Implementation

Implementing and utilizing AI capabilities is not without its challenges. Mistakes will happen, and lessons will undoubtedly be learned. It’s imperative to share both positive and negative experiences with the employees so that they understand not only how the technology is being used but also see how the results impact the business.

By engaging employees candidly, less secrecy surrounds AI, and it becomes just another tool businesses use to bolster productivity and efficiency.

Preparing for an AI-Powered Future

While there are a multitude of opinions on how AI will change the workforce, the fact is that nobody truly knows. But what is certain is that it offers businesses tremendous efficiencies and will require a new kind of employee, one that is open to new ideas, flexible and outcome oriented.

Businesses making the effort to help their current employees transition to this new world will ultimately increase their appeal to the new generation of employees. These employees are eager to work in environments that value innovation, flexibility and self-sufficiency.

AI is reshaping the workplace—don’t leave your workforce behind. James Moore HR Solutions can help you navigate change, upskill employees and build a future-ready team. Contact us today to get started.

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