AI success begins and ends with people: 3 steps for leaders to drive AI readiness

In today’s dynamic business landscape, companies across sectors are increasingly incorporating AI into their everyday operations to drive revenue growth, reduce costs and increase their competitive advantage. According to McKinsey, more than half (55%) of organizations have adopted AI and more than two-thirds expect their AI investment to increase over the next three years.

While opportunities for AI are bright, the challenges of integrating it into the workplace are vast and multifaceted. Business and HR leaders will be faced with obstacles around regulatory compliance, security and data governance. Arguably, however, their biggest challenge extends beyond the deployment and maintenance of AI. It lies in cultivating an organizational culture primed for its integration.

Forward-thinking business and HR leaders are ensuring their workforces are ready to embrace this new era of unprecedented change by embedding adaptability in very fabric of their organization.

To drive AI readiness in the workplace and unlock new opportunities for growth in an increasingly digital world, business and HR leaders should follow three fundamental steps: clearly articulate the vision for AI, empower workforce engagement in the AI transformation process and foster a culture of continuous learning and AI development.

Start at the top: Communicate your AI vision and priorities

Becoming an AI-ready organization begins with achieving clarity. Before investing in the technology, business and HR leaders should first define their objectives for AI and carefully examine the challenges and opportunities presented by its adoption.

Once leaders have clearly defined their AI strategy, it is imperative that they effectively communicate this vision to all levels of the company–from C-suite leaders to lower-level employees. Unfortunately, many leaders have overlooked this foundational step. According to UKG, more than half (54%) of employees have ‘no idea’ how their company is using AI.

To drive successful AI adoption, everyone at the organization must understand the strategic importance of AI and how they will fit into a new, AI-oriented future. This level of transparency and openness will go a long way. In fact, research supports that employees would be more accepting and excited about the potential of AI in their workplace if their company was more explicit about the direct ways the technology could improve their workflow (78%) and how their organization is using AI (75%).

Leaders should remember that successful organizational transformations hinge on workers’ consent and buy-in. When employees feel actively engaged and heard, they are more likely to embrace change with enthusiasm and commitment.

Engender trust in AI by empowering employee participation in AI transformation

Beyond simply communicating their vision for AI and the many benefits it promises to bring, leaders should also work to dispel employees’ fears and concerns surrounding the technology.

The AI “trust gap” is a real issue confronting many organizations today. According to EY research, a staggering 71% of employees are concerned about AI – with 48% saying they are even more concerned about AI today than they were a year ago. Workers’ anxieties around AI largely stem from fears of job displacement (65%), as well as concerns of ethical (65%), legal (77%) and cybersecurity risks (75%). While easing AI fears and building trust will not come easily or quickly, it is imperative for long-term viability.

To cultivate trust in AI within their workforces, leaders should clearly outline how AI systems are trained and how they plan to store, handle and use the employee data they collect. They should also proactively communicate the policies and procedures in place to govern data privacy and ensure compliance with ever-evolving regulations surrounding AI.

In addition to clearly articulating legal, ethical and security protocols, leaders should foster an environment where employees are informed and empowered to engage in the organization’s AI transformation. Per EY research, 77% of employees say they would be more comfortable using AI at work if companies involved staff from all levels in the adoption process.

AI is not a plug and play technology. It requires a test-and-learn environment where leaders harness the collective intelligence of their workforce. By taking a collaborative and iterative approach to AI, leaders can foster a culture of trust, paving the way for successful implementation and utilization in the workplace.

Related: Report: Online learners prefer human connection over AI

Empower employees with AI learning & skills resources

Cultivating trust is essential for AI readiness, but equally critical is the need for organizations to prioritize the development of AI skills among their workforces. According to Deloitte, only 36% of organizations have reported significant investment in change management, incentives or training activities to help their people integrate AI into their work.

Companies must make strategic shifts in how they prepare, motivate and equip their workforces for an AI-driven future – and the clock is ticking. About 90% of HR leaders believe up to half of their workforce will need to be reskilled in the next five years. Thankfully, over half (57%) of employees are eager for AI training.

HR and business leaders should provide employees with opportunities to upskill in AI-related areas, such as data analysis and automation, and invest in AI education–whether it be offering online courses, AI workshops or in-house discussions panels. By encouraging safe experimentation with AI and building workers’ technical skillsets, leaders can drive employee satisfaction and morale while simultaneously assuaging their fears of the AI skills gap.

To be future-ready, get your people AI-ready

Building an AI-ready culture is an ongoing journey that requires commitment from every level of the organization. By clearly communicating an AI vision, involving employees in AI transformation and providing opportunities for AI upskilling and development, business and HR leaders can unlock the full potential of AI and prepare for the next era of digital transformation.

 Emily Mackenzie, AVP, Market Planning & Product at Brightmine (formerly XpertHR)