What do you do if automation and AI are changing the landscape of People Management?

Hopefully it is clear to all working and alive in 2024 that AI will not ever replace the creative force only a human being has. AI will replace mandane and tasks that are repetitive leading to burn out or lack of purpose/fulfillment of work. Embrace what AI can do to make our work easier yet know that the input and directives are by human telling AI what to do. The thinking and advanced creation of solutions will take humans and that is not going away.

Automation and AI are and will continue to change the landscape of every industry so we must embrace this. By identifying the positives we can shift to a growth mindset around this topic and find ways to provide efficiencies and innovations. We must however be aware of the limitations of AI and not take its results for granted. Do your research, check in with people who are using the technology successfully and discuss how it’s worked for them, understand the pitfalls so that you can try to avoid the mistakes that can make automation scary.

In adapting to the changing landscape of people management due to automation and AI, we must prioritize skills like emotional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability while investing in continuous learning for employees. Implementing automation and AI ethically, with transparency and fairness, is essential. Additionally, involving employees in the process fosters collaboration and acceptance.

Encourage and facilitate continuous learning within your team. Invest in training programs that help employees develop new skills that are in demand due to the emergence of AI and automation. Leverage online learning platforms that offer courses on emerging technologies. This will keep your team up-to-date and foster a culture of curiosity and innovation. It will also build confidence in your team members as they will not view technology as their replacement. Conduct team meetings regularly to discuss what was learned. When more skeptical team members see others embracing new learning and sharing it with the team, they will embrace the change.

As a people manager facing the evolving landscape of automation and AI, I believe three things could be really helpful: 1. Upskilling and reskilling our teams to ensure they remain competitive and relevant. 2. Emphasizing the importance of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, creativity, and problem-solving. This becomes critical, as these are areas where AI cannot easily replace human capabilities. 3. Focusing on adapting our people management strategies to leverage AI tools for enhancing decision-making and productivity, while always ensuring that the human aspect of our organization remains at the forefront of our values and culture.

Ensure your AI strategy is ethical and transparent, placing humans at the center of decision-making processes. Be transparent about how AI decisions are made and ensure they are fair and unbiased. In addition, allow AI and humans to complement each other. Identify tasks where AI can enhance human work, not just replace it.

I heard a stat recently that 97% of AI projects in 2022 failed and it's likely to be 95% in 2023. I think we to embrace AI but we also need to understand we still need human skills to compliment it. I would concentrate on the things that are unlikely to change and see where AI can create efficiencies and improvements and implement in these areas. I think AI failures come when it is used for a one size fits all approach which is unpalatable.

Ignoring automation and AI will only work for so long as soon the current “new technologies” will be common place. As leaders we must not get left behind but equally should not rush in and use the technology for the sake of it. Work out how you and your organisation can truly benefit and build a strategy around AI. Consider creating a use of AI at work policy to provide guidance and leadership around the topic. Ensure you and your team and aware of the limitations and biases involved with using automation/AI and lead with care.