Lily Peterson, Managing Editor, BenefitsPRO
AI use and compliance continues to be a hot topic in today’s workplace.
Typically, AI in the workplace is used for smaller tasks in order for employees to be more efficient. For example, according to a BambooHR report, AI is used to “prepare presentations (42%), edit work (42%), and draft emails to clients (41%).” With the increase in AI usage, it’s important for employers and employees to be on the same page.
According to the same report from BambooHR, 72% of executives use AI every day, followed by managers (54%) and individual contributors (18%). Further, 77% of respondents said their employer encourages AI use, or at least doesn’t restrict use. However, it’s clear the C-suite is more comfortable with AI use than managers or lower-level employees.
“To dispel the myths and fears surrounding AI, businesses must foster a culture of experimentation and invest in some AI training. Encouraging employees at all level to explore AI tools and share their insights, coupled with tailored training programs, will not only drive new efficiencies and better outcomes, but also help spark new innovative thinking. Let’s redefine AI as a partner not a threat,” said Brian Crofts, chief product officer at BambooHR.
While executives push AI use in their company, bigger companies seem to be following suit with 52% of larger employers (500+ employees) more likely to use AI daily than the 35% of smaller employers (under 50 employees).
However, AI usage without maintaining workplace human connection can cause problems. According to a report from Upwork, AI can cause burnout even in the more productive employees, with 88% of AI-using employees being more likely to experience burnout, be disengaged, and even worse, twice as likely to quit.
“We’re observing a major inflection point in how work gets done,” said Dr. Gabby Burlacu, senior research manager of the Upwork Research Institute. “Over three-quarters of C-suite leaders and employees believe AI agents will completely reinvent the way people work. The real opportunity isn’t just deploying AI; it’s designing the organizational systems where humans and AI can thrive together.”
AI compliance
AI seems to still be uncharted territory, especially in the workplace. In order for companies to support AI use, it’s important to also have clear AI guidelines.
According to a report from ResumeNow, only half of respondents say they have clear policies for workplace AI usage.
“The AI era has produced as many questions as it has answers about the future of work. Because best practices are still being defined, the sooner businesses begin creating any guiding AI principles, policies, and training the better off they’ll be in the long run,” said Alan Whitaker, head of AI at BambooHR.
Still, 57% of respondents report to using AI in ways that violate their companies’ AI policies. A way to avoid this would be to provide employees with company approved AI tools, however, about 66% say they use company-provided tools, and 23% use company and personal AI tools.
With the rise of AI tools comes AI cyber-threats. A concerning number of respondents (78%) are not sure they can confidently spot AI-generated attacks, according to a survey from Traliant.
"To effectively reduce the risk of cyberattacks, employers need to build a security-first culture rooted in employee awareness and real-world preparedness. That starts with making cybersecurity training more than a checkbox. Training must be practical, engaging, and tailored to the evolving threat landscape, including AI-powered phishing, deepfakes, and voice spoofing,” said John Brushwood, compliance counsel – data privacy, cybersecurity, & AI governance at Traliant.
What can HR do?
To truly harness the power of AI in the workplace, companies must move beyond simply adopting new technology and focus on creating a supportive ecosystem for their employees.
“HR is uniquely positioned to navigate workforce changes, and can leverage its position to be strategic and proactive drivers for what AI integration and usage looks like. By equipping HR with the right skills and tools, they can model what employee development looks like, and create the critical culture of learning and innovation that ever-changing AI advancements will require,” said Whitaker.
As AI continues to evolve, the businesses that succeed will be those that prioritize a thoughtful, human-centered approach, ensuring that technology serves as a partner in innovation and a tool for strategic growth, not just a shortcut for efficiency.
“The future of leadership as humans collaborate with AI involves a shift toward a symbiotic relationship in which AI's capabilities complement human qualities. Human leaders will utilize AI to augment their performance and automate more routine tasks, enabling them to focus on high-level strategy and interpersonal connections,” said Sara Gutierrez, chief science officer, SHL.
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