Tackling the topic of AI
First things first, we didn’t get AI to write this! Although we could have easily, and will openly admit to using it for brainstorming purposes, this is not one of those times. These are our thoughts on what HR and People & Culture teams need to think about when it comes to AI.
Second disclaimer - by the time we write this, there would have been new iterations to the technology so we will stay away from detailed features of the tools, as they will be outdated by the time you read this. Instead we will focus on things to think about to support your teams as we navigate this new, evolving technology.
Third disclaimer - we are not AI experts at all. We are just People & Culture practitioners learning this capability like everyone else.
Ok, with all the disclaimers out of the way what we do know:
It is new-ish technology: Remarkably, Generative AI as we know it, has only been in the world for a few years, with Chat GPT being just over 2 years old. Now, there are a plethora of platforms such as Claude, Perplexity, Notebook LM, Gemini, Co-Pilot to name a few. No Gen AI platform is the same, instead they each have their own nuance and strength, so there isn’t a one size fits all. It is moving fast.
Everyone is using it (including primary school kids): AI is now a mainstream tool people are using like Google Search. From knowledge workers in Corporate roles, to academics, students or even kids brainstorming Christmas present ideas - it is now a common tool used every day. And, if you work in an organisation and you think your team isn't using it - you are probably wrong.
It is the ultimate companion: AI has been designed to be like your best friend in your pocket - it won’t give you negative feedback, responds to a ‘Good Job’ and is only as good as the prompts or questions you ask it. Instead of asking your colleague what they think about an idea - you can ask AI and will get sources to back up its idea.
It can do ‘almost anything’:
Need a data file analysed, then graphed, no problem.
Need to read a full length text but don’t have time - it can summarise it for you, and even transcribe it into a podcast for the audio learners among us.
Need to plan a trip itinerary to Japan, done in under 5 seconds.
As you can see if you use it correctly, it is quick, intuitive and easy to use.
So, what do businesses need to think about? Lots actually. Here are our top 5 considerations for thinking about AI in your business.
Alignment - What role will AI have strategically in your business? How does it align with your products / services? What impact will it have on your culture? Thinking about what it means at a macro level will help guide your rollout within the organisation.
Expectations - be open and transparent about how and when AI will be used in your business. When and how will you allow the use of it? Will you go all in and give everyone access or only a select few employees? Are there certain tasks that it can be used for or is it open? Will it be allowed on all devices? These are some questions to answer to help you consider how it is positioned.
Documentation - ensure your expectations are outlined in your policies. This is especially important in terms of sensitive or customer data (quick tip the same privacy rules apply to data in AI as everything else!). Also, consider how you communicate this information with suppliers and customers if need be. Given the role it is playing, you need to think about how you may ‘credit’ or ‘reference’ AI’s involvement in a piece of work.
Upskilling - consider how you will take everyone on the journey from your Exec Team, your Technology function to the end user. Bringing in expertise can help businesses fast track their upskilling and get the most out of the investment they make. If you embrace the technology, how do you use micro-learning, champions, VR and use cases to embed it.
Communication - While exciting, this type of change can be uncertain and confusing for employees. Have a strong change plan with key messages. Be open, transparent, realistic but not alarmist. The benefits to roles & organisations should be seen as energising.
Some of the team recently went to an AI Masterclass run by Inventium and a takeaway quote was “AI is like a brilliant grad… on day 1 on the job”. It has enormous potential once it understands how you like to work. As you can see the opportunities are endless and partially unknown.
HR have had to navigate so much transformational change for organisations - COVID, Hybrid Work and now AI. It can be overwhelming at times.
If you or your organisation needs some support with what it means for you and your team, reach out to Nine Yards.
