Integration of AI with the Business, Organization, and People

While these are still early days of integration of AI with the business, the pace at which use cases are being developed on leveraging AI across the business is increasing at a rapid pace. These developments will have a significant impact on organizations and their people.

The leadership team and the HR function will need to take proactive actions to prepare the organization for upcoming transformation driven by AI technologies and integrate it successfully in the business. Some of the important actions that are needed at the organization and people level are:

Leadership team education and alignment:

• Educate executives and leadership teams on AI technologies and the potential benefits to the business. Tech experts who lead the thinking on generative AI should be leveraged to expand the executive and leadership team’s thinking. These teams should be encouraged to identify areas within and across portfolios where AI could benefit the Customer and areas across the organization. The CEO and CIO will need to address concerns, both founded and unfounded, so that the leadership team(s) can align on strategies that will be put in place to educate people, identify opportunities, and execute plans. A well-educated leadership team will be key to lead the execution of AI technologies.

 

• Broader communication and education in the organization: A leader-led communication cascade will help create awareness and understanding and serve as an opportunity for an open dialogue with employees. Any new and disruptive technology will create anxiety, fear of job loss, feeling of being less useful and an open dialogue will help address concerns as well as move people towards education and adoption.

 

• Upskilling opportunities: Every job is likely to be impacted in some way by AI technologies – this could be by making them more efficient, by enhancing speed and quality of analysis leading to better decision making and so on and hence everyone needs to be upskilled so that they can focus their energy on more value creating aspects of their roles. There will also be jobs that may totally disappear due to AI and impacted employees would need to develop new functional skills while leveraging their transferable skills. Organizations will be expected to play an important role in helping identify potential roles, skills gaps and provide training. This will go a long way in maintaining and enhancing employee motivation and morale, commitment and retaining talent. This will enhance the pace of adoption which will be important to retain Customers and market share.

 

• Ethical utilization of AI: Most organizations already have business ethics policies and programs in place. The policies will need to be upgraded to factor the implications of AI due to new legislations, legal and compliance requirements, external and internal risks, and then cascaded in the organization. Legal challenges could emanate from copyright issues, biases, inaccuracies in data/ representation, personal information misuse and much more. Cross border challenges could make it more complex. Policies would need to spell out the boundaries clearly and when legal experts need to be consulted.

Leaders will need to reinforce that ownership for decisions and actions will continue to lie with the individuals responsible for outcomes on behalf of the business, same as today. AI will make work more efficient and easier to perform.

A strong culture of ethical practices will be important to Stakeholders – Customers, Regulators and Shareholders.

HR will play an important role in supporting the integration of AI:

• HR will need to ensure that AI is being leveraged to make HR processes efficient and provide better quality of service to their clients. AI has already made inroads into areas such as talent acquisition, benefits administration, HR analytics, training, productivity enhancement and this will continue. Therefore, every HR leader will be expected to upgrade the function leveraging AI thereby improving service to clients, reducing cost and enhancing strategic impact to the business.

 

• For HR professionals to keep pace with the changes happening in the business and support it, they need to get educated on the uses of AI in their business, both in the near and mid-long term. At a foundational level HR professionals will need to be very tech and data oriented to understand the benefits and risks involved. In my experience tech and data fluency in HR professionals is not yet the norm and hence this knowledge and skill gap needs to be bridged on an urgent basis.

 

• HR will need to work with leaders and Internal Communication to ensure that continuous flow of two-way communication is available across the organization to prepare everyone.

The mantra is …Communicate, Communicate, Communicate before integration.

Also, as Joe Raynus discusses another great consideration from an HR perspective is Connecting the AI – ESI (Ethics and Security Integrated) model with employee stress at the workplace by emphasizing how a robust ethical and secure environment positively influences employee well-being.

 In the fast-paced world of technology, where the integration of artificial intelligence becomes paramount, the ESI model stands as a beacon of assurance for employees navigating the digital landscape. This model, meticulously designed to intertwine ethics, security, and integration, not only safeguards the integrity of organizational operations but also creates a work environment that nurtures employee mental well-being.

1. Ethical Work Culture: The ESI model ensures that organizational ethics are not just a policy on paper but a living, breathing aspect of daily operations. A culture rooted in strong ethical principles promotes trust, respect, and fairness among colleagues. This, in turn, alleviates workplace stress, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
2. Security as a Confidence Pillar: Knowing that data and information are safeguarded by state-of-the-art security measures outlined in the ESI model provides employees with a sense of confidence. This security doesn’t just protect organizational assets but extends to the psychological safety of employees who can focus on their tasks without the looming fear of cyber threats.
3. Seamless Integration, Reduced Friction: ESI promotes the seamless integration of AI into work processes. When employees witness the smooth collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence, it reduces the friction often accompanying technological advancements. The result is a harmonious work environment where employees are less resistant to change, reducing stress associated with adapting to new technologies.
4. Employee Empowerment: The ESI model empowers employees by involving them in the ethical decision-making processes and emphasizing their role in maintaining security standards. This empowerment instills a sense of responsibility and control, mitigating the feelings of powerlessness that can contribute to workplace stress.
5. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: ESI encourages a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, acknowledging that technology evolves, and so should the workforce. This proactive approach to skills development not only ensures employees stay relevant but also reduces anxiety about obsolescence.

In essence, the ESI model, with its focus on ethics, security, and integration, becomes a holistic framework that not only fortifies the organizational structure but also creates a supportive ecosystem where employees thrive, stress is reduced, and innovation flourishes.