How Companies Can Overcome Employee Fears and Successfully Integrate GenAI
Despite companies' efforts to scale AI solutions, they face challenges in engaging employees and the public, as a new study shows. According to a report from Unit4, 59% of UK businesses plan to invest in GenAI digital assistants next year, but their employees have mixed views on whether this technology will help or harm their jobs.
The report, titled "The Path to Ubiquitous AI: Exploring Human Challenges," aims to highlight the strategies necessary for successfully integrating AI-based future workplaces. The core of the report features a survey conducted by the International Data Corporation, covering both business leaders and employees across key regions.
The research shows that companies across Europe are optimistic about the promises of generative AI. Specifically, 32% of companies expect an increase in productivity due to the technology allowing them to focus on more value-added tasks, while 28% hope it will reduce the number of repetitive tasks in their working day. 25% of respondents believe that GenAI will improve the employee experience, but employees themselves are not entirely convinced of these prospects.
Source: 2024 IDC Research
Organizations Must Prioritize Human Touch to Get the Most Out of GenAI
While automation may lead to a reshuffling of workers into new roles, rather than layoffs, employees are aware that companies often lay off workers to maintain profits, even without the introduction of new technologies. Indeed, 28% of European companies reported difficulty in overcoming fears of job cuts related to automation via GenAI functions.
According to the Unit4 report, UK businesses are no exception. The majority, 59% of UK companies, state they will invest in GenAI technologies by the end of 2025, with 30% believing this will save significant time, and 38% planning to invest in tools to measure the impact of this technology on their employees' workflows.
As a result, 70% of employees agree that AI will at least partially impact their current responsibilities. However, they are divided on how this will play out. Half of the respondents believe that changes will bring more flexibility in their work and provide more support for daily tasks. However, just as many fear this could increase the workload or even lead to job cuts. 50% of British workers expressed concerns that companies would misclassify AI programs, considering the potential risk of harming employees or customers.
Source: 2024 IDC Research
To maximize the benefits of AI, companies need to dispel these fears. AI implementation depends on human skills. Researchers recommend "embedding AI DNA" into the company's culture by encouraging continuous learning. According to the report, 50% of respondents will need additional knowledge to fully leverage AI's advantages, and by supporting these needs, companies can highlight the importance of collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Leaders must also be ready to demonstrate empathy, possess AI technology skills, and understand the importance of proper management.
"AI will play an increasingly important role in organizations in the future, and AI-driven jobs will look very different, so we must prepare long-term strategies now," said Klaus Jepsen, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Unit4. "To successfully integrate AI, companies need to clearly understand the problems they want to solve and know that AI cannot replicate every aspect of human interaction or unique situations inherent in each business. At Unit4, we’ve built our AI strategy to amplify human potential, focusing on pragmatic deployment, supported by great human-centered design."