How should leaders build an AI-empowered workforce?

Whenever “Artificial Intelligence” and “work” appear together in the same sentence, it tends to evoke images of robots stealing human jobs. However, the present reality contrasts with this dystopian fantasy; AI, in its current state, is but a powerful tool that can empower workers, close skill gaps and automate increasingly complex processes efficiently.

In other words, we are looking at the emergence of an AI-empowered workforce – businesses should strive to build one or risk getting left in the race. In this article, we’ll take a look at how leaders and managers should empower their workers with AI and build a workforce that will stand at the forefront of another technological revolution.

AI is no longer just an emerging tech

AI – particularly the generative kind – is a fast-growing technology, and a majority of information technology leaders, according to a recent Salesforce report, predict that AI will go mainstream in the very near future. The report highlights the fact that this technology is a game-changer in the business landscape, especially as organisations increasingly rely on data to come up with sound decisions and as they strive to counter continuously evolving cybersecurity threats.

How managers can integrate AI into the workplace

Integrating AI into the workplace is about introducing new technologies and processes that will drastically improve your team’s productivity. As a leader or manager, here’s what you should do to take advantage of AI and have your organisation reap its many benefits:

1. Understand the limits and capabilities of AI
   Learning about AI is the first step towards its integrations. In the process, you should understand that AI, in its current state, has clear limitations but that there are certain areas where it can deliver the most impact.
   
2. Have clear objectives
   What do you aim to accomplish by integrating AI into your workplace? Whatever your answer to this question, it should serve as the foundation of their overall implementation strategy.
   
3. Evaluate existing processes
   Take a look at your company’s existing methods and look for areas where AI can bring significant improvements. In particular, keep an eye on repetitive, rule-based, and data-intensive tasks.
   
4. Upskill the existing workforce
   Prepare your workers for the entry of AI into their organisation by training them on the technical aspects of the software and hardware involved, realigning their tasks and responsibilities to make them work harmoniously with AI. Additionally, don’t hesitate to bring in people with the skills needed to implement and manage AI solutions effectively.
   
5. Improve as you go
   Implementing AI in your workplace is not a one-off affair. Consider this an indefinitely ongoing process where iterative improvement is necessary.
   
6. Stay up-to-date
   AI is an evolving technology, and you will need to keep pace with its growth. Watch out for relevant news, keep yourself informed and keep an eye open for new opportunities for further integration.

Don’t tarry with innovation

Leaders, not just the workers, should learn to adapt to the reality of AI going mainstream and becoming an integral part of workplace productivity. So, don’t delay – get on the good side of AI, and you will be in a better place to build an efficient workforce that will bring your organisation success.