Navigating the AI Revolution in the Workplace
July 2024
AI adoption in New Zealand is relatively advanced, with almost half (48%) of business leaders stating that AI is already in use within their organisation. This widespread adoption reflects the growing recognition of AI's potential to enhance various business processes. While we are enthusiastic about AI for this reason, a word of caution is necessary: as the accessibility of AI technology increases, so do concerns about its potential misuse in the workplace.
The ability of employees to manipulate words, images, videos, and voices with AI raises significant concerns about the potential for misuse. Not only does AI have the potential to skew business decisions, but organisations must also consider the implications of exposing confidential information to AI tools.
Our view is that two clear requirements have emerged in business because of AI: the necessity of an AI policy and the need to anchor in our humanness.
AI Policy Musts
The adoption of AI tools by employees requires proper authorisation and guidelines. Hence, an AI policy is essential. We have been busy creating these for our clients recently, and here are the key aspects to consider:
Authorisation Process: Employees must obtain authorisation before using any AI or generative AI tools on your organisation’s IT systems. This process needs to be clearly defined and documented.
Criteria for Approval: Define clear criteria for approving AI tool usage, especially for commercially sensitive information. The terms and conditions of AI tools often grant broad rights to user data—meaning once it’s uploaded into AI, it’s anyone’s game!
Post-Authorisation / Usage Guidelines: This should include data protection measures and regular audits of AI-generated content. We’ve all heard the alarming stories of AI’s bias. We need the human heart and head to review data.
Training and Awareness: Workplaces need to provide training on AI ethics, data privacy, and security best practices to educate their people on responsible usage.
Penalties for Unauthorised Use: Clearly outline consequences for unauthorised AI tool usage
Anchor in Humanness
Building an AI-ready culture is about more than just implementing new technologies; paradoxically, it's about returning to the virtues that make us intrinsically human—curiosity and connection.
Curiosity drives the engine of learning, especially in the fast-paced domain of AI. It enables us to uncover challenges, check biases, unlock the potential of our team, adapt quickly to change, and cultivate a growth culture and mindset. Curiosity fosters an environment where innovation, continuous learning, and adaptability are not just encouraged but embedded in the organisation’s culture.
Connection is the bedrock of our human experience. As referenced in a previous post, Harvard Medical School’s Study of Adult Development, the world's longest-running research into human happiness, found that human connection is the most important factor in human happiness. It is also crucial for health. Our relationships regulate stress, promote positive chemical activity in the body, and lead to better health outcomes. Team togetherness is just as, if not more, important and should sit alongside your use of technology.
How to Navigate this New Normal
Start with an AI policy. We have formulated AI policies for our clients. Ironically, AI can also generate a policy for you.
However, as this blog suggests, some things require the human touch. We understand the intricacies of our clients' businesses—their people, their purpose, their brand voice, among other things. It is these intricacies that transform an out-of-the-AI-box policy into a working document relevant to the nuances of each workplace.
We recommend all businesses have an AI policy in place and that the ELT or Board are aware of their governance duties. Please reach out if this is of interest to you.
And remember, AI can certainly enhance mundane business processes, but our indispensable humanness is integral to the overall well-being and success of organisations and the people within them. Get curious, connect with your team, and don’t forget to return to the things that make us human along the way of your AI journey.
