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PSA for leaders: Stop treating AI like a technical deployment.
Forgive the brusqueness; I know youre busy, so I wont sugarcoat this.
To be fair,AIis indeed the latest and most significant technological advancement.
However, integrating it into your organisation should never be treated like a technical deployment.
Youre not rolling out a new login protocol.
Youre fundamentally transforming the way people interact with technology and information.
Youre fundamentally shifting how people do their jobs.
The key word in those two sentences: people.
Failure to do so is a fast-track to missed opportunities and unintended consequences
Chief Product Officer at Ivanti.
Recent research sheds light on a glaring gap.
To a noteworthy extent, companies are eagerly embracing the potential of AI (Productivity!
AI never takes a sick day!).
Leaders commonly assume these benefits would be universally embraced by their knowledge workers.
Is my job secure?
Am I being replaced?
How will AI change my role?
How will AI affect my companys expectations of me?
- 56% of IT workers believe the AI revolution will benefit employers more than employees.
Just 7% say that it will help employees.
- However, merely 1 in 10 office workers believe AI will deliver “high improvement” in productivity.
McKinsey’s recent research predicts minimal job loss due to AI, but the true impact remains uncertain.
Whats more, the potentialfalloutof failing to address AI anxiety among your employees goes beyond well-being.
It has profound business implications.
Knowledge workers are crucial players in the implementation and operation of AI-based technologies.
Theyre truly a linchpin; when linchpins arent secure, the infrastructure becomes unsteady.
Knowledge workers reservations should be taken seriously and serve as a warning for employers.
It doesnt matter how much you want AI to succeed.
It doesnt matter how good it looks on paper.
Youll be alienating your workforce and wasting resources.
Thats a great way to fall far behind the competition.
How to successfully address AI anxiety for better outcomes
This gap is bridgeable.
These anxieties are addressable.
The first step is to be honest about the problem.
To navigate this situation successfully, organizations must acknowledge employee concerns.
They must also recognize the dual role of employees as implementers and beneficiaries of AI.
They must understand that AI adoption isnt a gift; its a task.
Its not a technology deployment; its a strategic shift.
Communication is key
Does AI have the potential to be a gift for employees?
This is especially true in areas affecting IT operations and security preparedness.
Empowering workers with meaningful participation not only fosters alignment, it also enhances compliance.
In an arena as new and nebulous as AI, data privacy and integrity are non-negotiable.
So is awareness of human bias in AI.
Training can help many employees move the needle from anxiety to embracing AI.
Not all AI-inspired job changes require extensive upskilling.
In fact, AI can help democratise roles and tasks that previously demanded specialised knowledge.
If you wait for candor from your employees, it may be too late.
Your first sign that somethings wrong might be adverse business outcomes, not direct employee feedback.
Consider this article your cue to start.
Start crafting a unifying vision for AI that incorporates employees perspectives and interests.
An example: “We understand theres uncertainty around AI.
That should be an authentic statement.
The success of AI implementation hinges on recognizing employees as vital partners in this technological evolution.
We’ve featured the best online collaboration platform for teams.
The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc.
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