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Artificial intelligence has now entered the mainstream, becoming a staple in many firms’ arsenal of tools aimed at improving productivity, streamlining operations and enabling employees to focus on more strategic tasks.
However, like any recent technology, the implementation of artificial intelligence has not been without challenges. Despite the urgency of implementing artificial intelligence on the managerial side of the organization, in line with Slingshot Digital Work Trends 2024 Reportonly a third (32%) of employees use AI in the workplace. This is despite 73% of managers saying their organization offers AI tools.
Bridging this divide is not an overnight process. This requires organizations to take many steps to prepare for AI, not only by investing in the technology, but also by preparing other features of the organization and creating a company culture that provides employees the confidence to work with it.
Here are three steps employers have to take to properly prepare employees:
1. Share your AI ambitions with employees and address any concerns
Although artificial intelligence is a widely known term, most individuals’s knowledge about this technology is based solely on word of mouth. Despite AI’s enormous potential, there are plenty of negative stories circulating, from ChatGPT-triggered writers’ strikes to TV shows where robots start the apocalypse.
Because of such horror stories, the news of AI integration can be scary for employees who don’t understand the purpose of introducing it in their company. To alleviate this anxiety, employers must share their AI vision, goals and strategy with employees.
One of the key misconceptions that should be resolved is whether AI poses a threat to jobs. Artificial intelligence is often presented as a alternative for human work, leaving many employees unsure how the technology will fit into their work lives. For AI to achieve worker buy-in, employers must openly communicate about its intended role in the company, reminiscent of what tasks AI will perform, which teams will use it, and how it would support – not replace – human efforts .
Employers also needs to align the purpose of AI with employees’ on a regular basis experiences, explaining why it has been introduced and how it would improve workflow. One sec employers see artificial intelligence as a tool to extend productivityemployees use it for other purposes, reminiscent of re-checking their work. This difference in use and understanding can be addressed through higher communication and job-specific training, so that employees feel equipped to make use of AI as a tool to reinforce their skills, relatively than as a alternative.
2. Lay a solid data foundation
Before embarking on any AI integration, firms need to make sure their data is ready. Artificial intelligence relies on data—whatever organizations use to observe performance, processes, people, platforms, and profitability—to learn, adapt, and refine the insights it provides to support higher decision-making.
Whether employers and employees know it or not, almost every team has its own set of data. But just having it is not enough. In fact, almost every fifth (19%) employer note data readiness as the most important reason why AI has not reached their organizations.
To create the data foundation obligatory for AI, firms should focus on two key goals: centralization and cleansing of corporate data.
First, data and information from different teams, platforms and systems should be consolidated in one place. Thanks to this, artificial intelligence will work more effectively and consistently. Centralized data also increases accessibility, streamlines workflow, and enables faster and more accurate evaluation.
Companies then have to cleanse and evaluate their data. This includes removing redundancies, fixing inaccuracies, and filling in gaps to make sure a high-quality pool of information that AI can rely on.
By centralizing and cleansing their data, firms set the stage for more robust AI results, which in turn enable employees to make more informed, strategic decisions.
3. Train employees in the use of artificial intelligence
Currently, 77% of employees they lack confidence in their ability to make use of AI because they do not feel adequately educated and trained in the technology. If firms want AI to succeed in its full potential, they have to first invest in solid worker training.
A comprehensive AI training program should focus on the practical application of the technology, discussing what employees will use every day and explaining why AI is essential in their roles. This will give employees the confidence to include AI into their day by day workflow, helping to extend productivity and decision-making.
However, sending all employees to the same AI training program is not enough. Employers have to tailor AI training to satisfy the needs of different teams. For example, marketing teams might have to know the way to use AI to investigate consumer behavior, while customer support teams might want to know the way to use AI in chatbots and automated support tools.
A tailored approach to AI training ensures that employees receive in-depth training on tools relevant to their jobs, relatively than a broad overview of tools they could never use. While employees must be aware of the full range of AI tools available, targeted training on people who work best for their day by day tasks will help them see more immediate advantages.
Additionally, AI training mustn’t be a one-time activity on account of the rapid evolution of AI technology. New features are continuously emerging, and with them, employees have to know the way to incorporate them into their existing skill set.
Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly and recent features are continuously emerging. So relatively than making AI training a one-time event, employers should offer ongoing training sessions, at least annually, to enhance their employees’ skills and make the most of recent capabilities as they are introduced.
By cleansing up company data, setting clear expectations, and ensuring ongoing worker training, employers can higher prepare their firms to embrace AI that can help their teams thrive.