“Today’s technology was yesterday’s science fiction.” —Rodrigue Rizk
Sam Altman, the Google geek who founded AI, quit so he could warn the public about inherent risks. Congress is scrambling to learn more and explore regulations that might be needed for AI. And employees are skittish about their personal long-term viability as AI usage increases.
As a leader, you’re likely wondering about what you need to do to help your employees both better understand and overcome their fears. To gain insight, we recently chatted with a bot on the https://chat.openai.com website to address current fears and recommendations. Naturally, the bot was quick to generate three key AI benefits:
1. Increased efficiency and productivity— bots are especially good with repetitive and mundane tasks
2. 24/7 availability—bots don’t sleep, and critical tasks can be performed any time day or night
3. Cost savings— bots can automate routine customer service inquiries, data processing and administrative tasks to address labor shortages
What are some of AI’s limitations?
🔻Human frustration with deterioration in customer service due to poor bot responses that fail to address a specific issue
🔻Irritation with intrusive messages, videos and ads based on search histories
🔻Potential for inaccurate information using biased and/or non-factual information
When we asked how to minimize employees’ fears that bots would replace them, our bot was equally eager to offer suggestions. Here are our Top Five:
1. Most importantly, communicate openly and often to address employees’ fears. Provide regular updates on the AI implementation process and the organization’s commitment to upskill employees.
2. Emphasize how bots can augment capabilities, not replace them. Explain how bots will handle repetitive tasks, leaving humans with more time to focus on and showcase opportunities for complex, higher-level decision-making, strategic activities and relationship-building.
3. Offer reskilling and upskilling opportunities to ensure long-term employee viability building new skills in listening, compassionate problem-solving, empathy, etc.
4. Promote collaboration and teamwork between AI bots and employees. Show how human creativity, critical thinking and emotional intelligence partner with AI’s speed and accuracy.
5. Maintain transparency in the decision-making process about how and why the organization is adding bots to the mix.
What’s the bottom line? We are on an AI learning journey and encourage leaders to adopt an approach that emphasizes transparent communication as well as the benefits of collaboration between humans and AI.
Contact us to learn more about how to maintain a high-integrity organization where employees are given the opportunity to develop complex strategic, creative and critical thinking skills.
Becky Ripley, MS
Beckyr@innolectinc.com
Innolect’s Excursion Learning™ and Sustainable Legacies™ Practice Leader