AI isn’t here to steal your job, it’s here to make it better Posted on : Jan 19 - 2019

The belief that AI will displace jobs has been well countered with arguments that AI actually empowers workers to focus on higher-level thinking and creating. It’s an advantage in the workplace, not an obstruction. But there’s another, less discussed advantage of adopting AI at work. One with the potential to level the playing field for underrepresented groups at the very top levels of many corporate environments. 

I see a not-too-distant future in which AI enables new voices and perspectives to emerge from within the ranks. A recent survey from Marketforce and Pega of top executives around the world supports this thinking: 76 percent of senior executives said they believe AI technologies will allow workers to make informed decisions at a more junior level, and 66 percent believe it will result in a more transparent workplace meritocracy.

More voices in the room

Take meetings, for example. Business meetings reinforce corporate hierarchies by establishing clear roles — leaders, participants and note takers — and providing a forum for unintended bias to be displayed and broadcast. AI technologies such as smart assistants can be used to restructure and democratize these meetings by capturing notes, actions items, and a real-time transcription of every word so that traditional notetakers can fully join conversations and add value instead of just serving as stenographers.

The potential result is junior employees, who tend to be responsible for administrative duties, can spend more time thinking creatively, solving problems and participating in the strategic aspects of the organization — rather than having to concentrate on typing notes. 

Staying ahead of the learning curve

Another area where AI can be effective at promoting diversity and upending staid organizational structures is in training and professional development. AI-based training can not only shorten the orientation period, but also make employee development more accessible and personalized. Corporate training is also evolving to become driven by AI and automation, while data-based AI can enable customized learning programs.

As remote work surges in popularity, companies face the rising challenge of ensuring all employees feel included, heard and part of the team’s greater mission, no matter where they’re based. With new and advanced employee feedback tools, distributed workers can be brought into the organizational fold when human managers aren’t able to meet face-to-face.

Removing bias from the feedback loop

Additionally AI can improve evaluation processes and provide insight into employee satisfaction levels. Sentiment analysis tools are making it easier for companies to understand the feedback workers provide and respond to concerns that may lead to attrition.

Meanwhile, machine learning can be used to track employee goals, progress, and feedback and provide data-driven support to supplement regular evaluations and performance reviews. With these improved feedback loops, managers can keep all kinds of employees, not just those in the majority, engaged and satisfied. View More