How to Protect Workplace Relationships in an Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is burrowing into many corners of our work lives. But what value does the technology offer when human cooperation is so vital to success? Quentin Millington of Marble Brook examines how AI helps or harms workplace relationships.

Copyright: hrzone.com – “How to Protect Workplace Relationships in an Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI)”

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Many of us, not least in HR, are grappling with how to use artificial intelligence (AI) across the workplace. The mainstream belief, or hope, is that AI will make work easier and more efficient, and so increase productivity. But it’s also important to consider its impact (positive or negative) on workplace relationships.

With AI, are we missing the point?

Blind faith in technology, pressure from social media and worries that the firm may be ‘left behind’ all direct attention away from a complex and yet crucial question: How will AI adoption affect workplace relationships?

As it stands, many organisations neglect relationships. Managers lacking interpersonal skills rely on a rule book. Inadequate or outdated systems reinforce silos. Colleagues are too busy or stressed to talk with each other. Pursuit of near-term outcomes encourages ‘transactional’ exchanges.

While mechanistic thinking about performance is the norm, its day-to-day practice hurts experiences, productivity and results. Modern work demands that people collaborate on complex problems: no brandishing of managers’ whips recovers potential lost to bureaucratic methods.

“Whether corporate motives behind the adoption of AI are good or doubtful, you have the freedom to protect your workplace relationships..”

AI and workplace relationships

If technology is to help rather than harm, it must amplify and not muffle the human relationships that make cooperation possible. To evaluate AI against this yardstick, let us examine several ways in which platforms are, or may be, used across the workplace.

1. Freedom from drudgery

AI, apologists say, will pick up the drudgery and liberate you for what matters most, tasks only humans can do. Relationships demand time and energy so less effort spent on tedious activities is clearly a benefit.

Der Beitrag How to Protect Workplace Relationships in an Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.