Leaders want to ‘fast track AI,’ but workers aren’t ready

If you’re finding it impossible to talk about the future of work without mentioning AI, you’re not alone.

But there’s just one issue: 51% of leaders say they don’t have a “clear AI strategy,” according to a recent report from accounting firm BDO. And while 57% want to “fast track AI implementation,” 42% lack the enablement to do so.

This disconnect has created three AI-related concerns among workers, according to Cheryl Fields Tyler, people strategy and solutions leader at BDO USA. They’re fearful of job loss, stressed about managing their workloads with AI training, and confused about where to start.

“For organizations who are serious about really equipping their organizations and their teams with AI, they need to address all three issues,” Fields Tyler told HR Brew.

What HR can do. HR leaders need to be change managers and help workers get comfortable with AI disruption, Fields Tyler said. They can start by encouraging employees to “play” with AI.

“When people use AI, they actually believe in it more and put more time into using it,” she said. “Play with these tools in order to see how they can help them do their job…They can see how it helps their company, helps their teams, etc.”

HR pros should also address the anxiety that AI is causing, Fields Tyler said. She pointed to research from the World Economic Forum that suggests roughly 92 million jobs will be displaced by AI in the next decade—but 170 million will be created. When leaders legitimize and alleviate workers’ fears, she said they can help move their organizations forward.

“What organizations really need to do is communicate their values around how we’re going to make this transition together,” she said. “Of course, it’s not up to each individual company alone. This has to be a societal thing…but these are the things that organizations need to do as they get serious about AI.”