What are the primary concerns employees have voiced about the integration of emerging technologies (such as AI and automation), and what conversations are you having to help allay those concerns?
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Retired CSCO in Retail6 months ago
There's always fear, especially fear of change, and AI is a big word that scares a lot of people because nobody really understands all of it or where it's going. The conversations have to be around how to continue to evolve and how to use the workforce differently. If the change isn't managed effectively, employees will start to find reasons why the AI is wrong and resist the change. The organization needs to understand how the change is going to work, what it's going to look like, and how to engage everyone to lean into it and help make their jobs better.Chief Supply Chain Officer6 months ago
There are some things that AI does better than humans and things that humans do better than AI. Companies need to focus on how to use both so that humans aren't afraid of AI, but AI is used in the most appropriate way.
VP of Supply Chain6 months ago
Since 2015, our revenues have increased by 2100%, which has led to a significant increase in our workforce. However, as we look back, had we had a better grasp on our overall strategy, we might not have aimed for growth at that point. There's a lot of fear around the automation happening in the business. However, the context for these decisions must be centered around the business strategy. We can create daily wins by driving productivity, but these don't often add up quickly. The bigger decisions need to be tied to the overall strategy, vision of the business, product lines, and customers we're serving.Chief Supply Chain Officer6 months ago
The fear of change is prevalent, especially among less tenured and younger employees. These individuals are less fearful because their work environment might mirror their personal life when it comes to technology. However, for those who have been with the company for a couple of decades, the fear is more pronounced. The key is to alleviate these fears by showing them that they're still relevant, perhaps in a different way, or by helping them find a different career path if they choose to self-select out. It's a case-by-case basis, and the actions taken depend on what the company can afford to do.Sr. Director of P2P in Software6 months ago
The most significant fear seems to revolve around AI, particularly in procurement and legal contexts. Employees often express concerns such as, "Will I still be needed? Is the tech going to cause me more problems? Will it write contracts that are tough to negotiate?" To address these concerns, it's crucial to keep the conversation going and to conduct proof of concepts and proof of values. It's also important to clarify which parts are automated and whether the fear is real or perceived due to the unknown aspects of AI. The more proofs we run, the less resistance we encounter. It's a change management process that needs to happen where people become comfortable with the fact that change is the only constant.