How can employers prepare their workforce for the next generation of AI
The advent of generative AI is pushing businesses and organizations across industries to rethink the ways they are doing business. The benefits that AI will bring to the workplace are obvious. Generative AI will help automate and accelerate workflows — allowing employees to focus on more complex, rewarding work and less on simple, monotonous tasks. Still, many employees remain apprehensive about the new technology and the impact it will have on their daily work.
According to a survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group, 86% of respondents believe they will need upskilling, but only 14% of frontline employees say they have received AI training[1]. AI is moving fast, making it difficult to design relevant training for a technology that continues to evolve. Still, organizations need to communicate how AI will impact day-to-day work for employees if they hope to retain talent and ensure they are taking advantage of all that AI tools have to offer.
While it might be difficult to train for specific AI tools, there are areas that organizations can train for that will prepare their workforce to use AI effectively and responsibly.
- Best Practices – Many knowledge workers are split on AI with some eagerly awaiting widespread implementation and others nervous about how it will impact their position and even more so, their careers. Getting everyone up to speed with AI will help organizations transition to AI supported workflows more smoothly and give employees peace of mind. Once employees have a basic understanding of how to use AI tools effectively, organizations will likely see increased job satisfaction in addition to improved performance and wider acceptance of AI tools.
- Corporate Ethics and Responsibility – Despite its many positive attributes, generative AI has also shown some more negative tendencies that workers should keep an eye on. Unfortunately, bias can be a significant problem for some generative AI tools, causing them to generate unfair or prejudiced results. Luckily, bias can be trained out, but some negative results may slip through if employees aren’t thoroughly reviewing AI-generated content.[2] It is important that employees become proficient in proofing AI-generated content to identify biased results or general mistakes to make results more equitable.
- Troubleshooting – AI, like any other technology, can run into complications during use. Understanding how to identify problems with AI programs will help employees determine whether they can handle an issue themselves or need to seek technical assistance.
Either way, empowering employees with the tools and knowledge they need to address technical issues can reduce the time spent addressing those problems. This will build employee confidence and enable them to move through their workflow smoothly.
- Model Fitting – While some knowledge workers can train negative tendencies out of AI, it is important that organizations train AI tools to align with their business goals. Technical specialists like software engineers or IT professionals will benefit from ongoing AI training so they can integrate AI programs effectively and refine models according to the outcomes their organizations aim to achieve.
Organizations should also offer ongoing information and training regarding new advancements in AI. Transparency with employees will be critical as AI evolves and internal systems advance to keep pace. Employees don’t need to become technology experts to understand the implications of new AI capabilities. Businesses that keep their workforce up to date on how they are responding to changes in technology will doubtlessly see greater employee retention and increased performance.
AI is here to stay, but its trajectory and impact on organizations and their employees are still evolving. Implementing comprehensive training programs that demystify generative AI and equip employees with the knowledge to use these tools effectively can lead to positive outcomes for both employers and their workforces. By staying ahead of the curve and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, organizations can thrive in the era of AI and ensure their employees are prepared for the challenges and opportunities it presents
