AI is transforming the world of work, are we ready for it? | FT Working It

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, and many companies are eager to use it. But are we really ready for this big shift? This article looks at how AI is affecting jobs, what business leaders think, and the challenges of bringing AI into the workplace. It also explores how employees feel about AI and what companies can do to make the transition smoother.

The AI Explosion in the Workplace

Generative AI, a part of artificial intelligence, has been around for a while, but it really took off in 2022 with the launch of ChatGPT. This made it easy for anyone to interact with AI systems. Since then, businesses have been pushing to use generative AI to make work more efficient. Many leaders are excited about AI's potential to increase productivity.

However, there's a big gap between what executives want and what's actually happening. A survey of 10,000 desk workers found that two-thirds are still not using AI technology. It's like CEOs bought fancy AI systems but haven't taught their staff how to use them. Leaders are also worried about data security and AI's accuracy.

Understanding AI Personas

Christina Janza, head of the Workforce Lab at Salesforce, has studied why some workers use AI and others don't. Her team found five different AI personas:

• Maximalist: Very excited about AI and uses it a lot.
• Underground: Uses AI actively and gets value from it, but hides their usage because they feel guilty or like they're cheating.
• Rebel: Sees AI as a threat.
• Super Fan: Excited about AI but doesn't use it themselves because they don't know how to start.
• Observer: Has a wait-and-see attitude, showing some interest and some caution, but not actively engaged.

It turns out that only 7% of workers worldwide fully trust AI. This is normal for new technology. What's interesting is that people who feel trusted by their manager are twice as likely to try AI. This shows that the human side of work, like trust and communication, is very important when bringing in new tech.

The Challenges of AI Adoption

Bringing AI into the workplace isn't always smooth. Here are some key takeaways:

• Complexity and Unreliability: AI is still a complicated technology and can be unreliable. Companies need to be ready for things to go wrong and be willing to experiment.
• Cost Cutting Temptation: Some companies might see AI as a way to cut costs and reduce staff. However, in an unstable market, bosses should be careful about cutting jobs too quickly.
• Lack of Guidance: A recent survey found that 43% of desk workers haven't received any guidance from their leaders on how to use AI tools. This lack of clear rules can make it hard for employees to adopt AI.
• Trust Issues: Building trust is key. When businesses have clear guidelines and cater to different AI personas, employees are almost six times more likely to use AI tools.

AI as a Skills Equalizer

Azim Azhar, a tech investor, believes AI can help less experienced employees improve their skills. He says that using generative AI is like delegating tasks. People who are good at delegating, like senior executives, tend to get more out of AI. For example, Azhar uses AI assistants to transcribe meetings and even evaluate his performance.

Companies like Lattice are also using AI to improve HR processes. Their AI software can create performance reviews by analyzing feedback and learning the user's writing style. This can help managers give better, more consistent feedback.

The Future of Work with AI

AI is simplifying things from a user experience standpoint. It brings data together from different systems, making it easier for employees to get answers and guidance. This means companies need to think about how to train their teams to keep up with these fast changes and how to manage AI responsibly.

In the future, AI agents might even perform actions on behalf of employees. This raises questions about how much autonomy people are willing to give up. Leaders need to be transparent, communicate clearly, and educate their employees about what AI is meant to do.

While AI is expensive to build right now, tech companies are making it accessible to encourage adoption. The goal is to make AI so essential that people can't imagine working without it. However, leaders should take a step back and think about where AI truly makes a difference for their specific organization, rather than just following the hype. The technology is still imperfect, and we need to be patient with its learning curve. AI will change work, but it's okay to be a bit skeptical and approach it thoughtfully.