“Without people there is no AI. It’s just that simple. We cannot do this AI journey without their support and their engagement.”
People-Focused AI for Employee Empowerment: Key Takeaways from BDO’s Webcast
As organizations embark on artificial intelligence, it is important to ensure AI empowers employees and fosters a resilient, adaptive workforce. In BDO’s webcast, “People-Focused AI for Employee Empowerment,” a panel of leaders explored how AI can be harnessed to empower employees, enhance their capabilities, and foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity. Moderated by Cathy Moy, Chief People Officer for BDO, the discussion featured insights from Tom Petro, Managing Partner at 1867 Capital Partners; Gabriella Salvatore, Practice Leader, Human Capital Strategy at BDO USA; and Laura Sceerey, Practice Leader, Client Experience at BDO Digital USA.
Below are key takeaways as well as polling data from the audience participants.
The Human-Centric Approach to AI
AI’s true potential is realized not just through its technological prowess but through its ability to augment human capabilities. Only 22 percent of audience participants who responded to our poll indicated that they sought feedback from employees on AI usage in their AI readiness assessment. A people-focused AI strategy prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and development. This approach ensures that AI is not seen as a threat, but as a tool that supports employees to achieve more, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their organizations.
Key Benefits of People-Focused AI
AI can process vast amounts of data to provide insights that inform better decision-making. By leveraging AI, employees can make more informed decisions quickly, leading to improved outcomes and increased efficiency.
AI can automate repetitive and mundane tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their roles. This not only boosts productivity but also enhances job satisfaction, which is critical to retain top talent.
AI-driven platforms can offer personalized learning experiences tailored to individual employee needs and career aspirations. This fosters continuous learning and development, ensuring that employees remain competitive and skilled in a rapidly changing job market.
AI can serve as a catalyst for innovation by providing employees with tools and insights they need to experiment and explore new ideas. This can lead to the development of new products, services, and business models.
“AI adoption is more like a journey than a destination. It’s crucial because integrating AI into a company operation is dynamic and evolving.”
Tom Petro
Managing Partner at 1867 Capital Partners
Overcoming Challenges
While the benefits of AI are significant, organizations must address several challenges to ensure successful implementation:
48 percent of our audience participants indicated that the most frequently heard concern from their employees about AI was the fear of job displacement or workforce reduction. Organizations must communicate transparently about how AI will be used and provide reskilling and upskilling opportunities to help employees transition to the new roles.
Ensuring the privacy and security of employees’ data is paramount. 37 percent of our audience participants noted employee concerns about privacy and data security, while 29 percent indicated that their employees lack trust in AI decisions and processes. Organizations must implement robust data governance frameworks to protect sensitive information and build trust with employees.
Effective change management strategies are essential to help employees adapt to new technologies. This includes providing training, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and involving employees in the AI implementation process.
“Help employees see how AI is relevant with their day to day life.”
Gabriella Salvatore
Practice Leader, Human Capital Strategy at BDO USA
The Role of Leadership
Leadership plays a crucial role in driving a people-focused AI strategy. Leaders must:
Leaders should advocate for AI initiatives and communicate their vision for how AI can benefit employees and the organization.
Providing employees with the necessary training and development opportunities to leverage AI effectively is critical. This includes both technical skills and soft skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving.
Encouraging a culture where experimentation and innovation are valued can help employees feel more comfortable with AI and more willing to explore its potential.
“When people in an organization feel heard and their concerns are at the forefront of the ultimate solution, it will drive adoption rather than just a platform, tool, or suite being pushed into an organization where people are expected to use them”
Laura Sceerey
Practice Leader, Client Experience at BDO USA
People-focused AI has the potential to transform organizations by empowering employees, enhancing their capabilities, and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. By aligning AI initiatives with human values and addressing the associated challenges, organizations can unlock the full potential of AI and drive sustainable success. As organizations embark on their AI journey, it is important to keep the human element at the forefront of AI strategies, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a source of disruption.
To listen to the full recording of this webcast, please visit: People-Focused AI for Employee Empowerment
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