Work with AI

As employers and employees embrace AI, many see it as a tool for handling repetitive, structured tasks that people would rather avoid. AI certainly adds value, from generating high-quality meeting notes to helping leaders summarise dense reports and extract key insights efficiently. Yet, for all its capabilities, AI cannot replace human judgment. While it excels at identifying patterns, it struggles to connect the dots in a meaningful way. Generative AI can tell us what is happening, but it rarely grasps the ‘so what?’—the deeper implications that require human insight.

History offers a useful lesson. When ATMs were introduced, many assumed bank tellers would become obsolete. Instead, banks hired more staff, but their roles shifted. Rather than handling cash transactions, employees moved into advisory and customer service roles, adding greater value. AI presents a similar opportunity today. Rather than replacing jobs, it will change tasks. Employers who identify what AI can take on - freeing employees for higher-value work - will be better placed to harness its full potential. Judgment, strategic decision-making, complex problem-solving, and relationship-building will remain firmly in human hands.

For employees worried about AI taking their jobs, the real risk lies not in the technology itself but in failing to adapt to it. As Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang puts it: “You won’t be replaced by AI. You will be replaced by someone who knows what to do with AI.” Those who embrace AI as an enabler rather than a threat will be the ones who thrive.

But AI’s impact isn’t just about efficiency. Organisations must also reconsider the human side of work. Stephan Meier, author of The Employee Advantage: How Putting Workers First Helps Employees Thrive, stresses that job design plays a crucial role in motivation and performance. Leaders must be intentional about how AI is deployed, ensuring it enhances rather than diminishes the work experience.

Used wisely, AI can also support effective leadership. It can highlight communication gaps, offer coaching insights, and tailor learning and development to individual employees. But the key lies in how it is used. Transparency, consent, and a focus on improving - not just monitoring - the employee experience will determine whether AI becomes a force for good in the workplace.

The future of work won’t be shaped by AI alone but by how well leaders and employees integrate it. Those who see AI as an ally in unlocking human potential will be the ones who shape tomorrow’s workplaces.