CEO AdvisoHR | The Modern Productivity Paradox: Unraveling the AI Enigma
Helder Figueiredo
Linkedin Top Voice ? Head of People ? HR Consultant ? PhD Candidate ?? Follow Me 37K+ followers ?? Intl Exp
Dear CEO,
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of work, we find ourselves strugling with a paradox—a tension between the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the reality of productivity growth. As a seasoned HR leader, I invite you to join me in dissecting this enigma and exploring its implications for the future of work.
The Past vs. The Present
40 Years Ago
Four decades ago, our workplaces were vastly different. Manual processes, analog communication, and hierarchical structures defined our daily routines.
Productivity gains were incremental, often tied to labor-intensive efforts.
We dreamed of technological breakthroughs that would liberate us from mundane tasks, allowing more time for creativity, leisure, and cultural pursuits.
Today
Fast-forward to today.
AI systems—those marvels of machine learning and data-driven decision-making—have infiltrated our lives.
They outperform humans in domains like image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics.
Yet, measured productivity growth has failed to deliver the promise, leaving us perplexed.
The Clash of Expectations and Statistics
False Hopes
We harbored grand expectations for AI: streamlined workflows, automated processes, and unprecedented efficiency.
But reality diverged. Why?
Mismeasurement
Our metrics struggle to capture AI’s true impact.
Traditional productivity measures fail to account for intangible gains—like the mental space freed by automation or the creative potential unlocked by AI tools.
Redistribution
AI redistributes work. Routine tasks vanish, but new demands emerge. We toil harder, not smarter.
The paradox deepens.
Implementation Lags
Here lies the crux. AI’s most potent capabilities—those that mimic human cognition—remain concentrated. They haven’t diffused widely. Like dormant seeds, they await complementary innovations to unlock their full potential.
The Road Ahead
As HR leaders, we must adapt. Embrace AI, but with caution. Invest in reskilling, fostering digitDear CEO,
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of work, we find ourselves strugling with a paradox—a tension between the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the reality of productivity growth. As a seasoned HR leader, I invite you to join me in dissecting this enigma and exploring its implications for the future of work.
The Past vs. The Present
40 Years Ago
Four decades ago, our workplaces were vastly different. Manual processes, analog communication, and hierarchical structures defined our daily routines.
Productivity gains were incremental, often tied to labor-intensive efforts.
We dreamed of technological breakthroughs that would liberate us from mundane tasks, allowing more time for creativity, leisure, and cultural pursuits.
领英推荐
Today
Fast-forward to today.
AI systems—those marvels of machine learning and data-driven decision-making—have infiltrated our lives.
They outperform humans in domains like image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics.
Yet, measured productivity growth has failed to deliver the promise, leaving us perplexed.
The Clash of Expectations and Statistics
False Hopes
We harbored grand expectations for AI: streamlined workflows, automated processes, and unprecedented efficiency.
But reality diverged. Why?
Mismeasurement
Our metrics struggle to capture AI’s true impact.
Traditional productivity measures fail to account for intangible gains—like the mental space freed by automation or the creative potential unlocked by AI tools.
Redistribution
AI redistributes work. Routine tasks vanish, but new demands emerge. We toil harder, not smarter.
The paradox deepens.
Implementation Lags
Here lies the crux. AI’s most potent capabilities—those that mimic human cognition—remain concentrated. They haven’t diffused widely. Like dormant seeds, they await complementary innovations to unlock their full potential.
The Road Ahead
As HR leaders, we must adapt. Embrace AI, but with caution. Invest in reskilling, fostering digital literacy, and nurturing a growth mindset. Recognize that AI’s dividends extend beyond mere efficiency—they lie in creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking.
Let us champion a future where AI augments our abilities, rather than eclipses them.
The paradox persists, but so does our resolve to shape a work environment that thrives on human-AI synergy.
Regards,
Helder Figueiredo
al literacy, and nurturing a growth mindset. Recognize that AI’s dividends extend beyond mere efficiency—they lie in creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking.
Let us champion a future where AI augments our abilities, rather than eclipses them.
The paradox persists, but so does our resolve to shape a work environment that thrives on human-AI synergy.
Regards,
Helder Figueiredo
Disclaimer: This article was writen with the help of AI. The text was reviewed by an experienced HR Leader with 25+ years of experience.
References:
AI is changing the world - I am here to supercharge that change | Connecting HR and Tech | 12+ Years Leading People & Product Initiatives | opinions expressed are my own
5 个月Well written Helder Figueiredo. Implementation lags partly because of lack of adoption. In latest Axios survey across 1,274 respondents aged 14-22 in the U.S, just 4% said they use AI tools daily. Meanwhile, 41% said they've never used AI and 8% said they don't know what it is. This is one of the main reasons why we've decided to setup a non-profit focused on delivering AI training to local communities and schools.
??Business Strategist ?? Helping Business Owners to reach their potential and scaling up their businesses ?? Keynote Speaker ?? Executive, Team and Business Coach
5 个月This article brilliantly captures the paradox of AI in today's workplace. It highlights the gap between AI's potential and actual productivity gains, urging us to rethink how we measure success. The focus on reskilling, digital literacy, and leveraging AI for creativity and strategic thinking is crucial. A thought-provoking read that emphasizes the importance of human-AI synergy for future growth. Thanks for sharing this compelling perspective Helder Figueiredo
Heresiarch
5 个月It's slack, of the organisational kind, not the tool, as postulated by Cyert and March in their Behavioral Theory of the Firm from the sixties, drawing on Herbert Simon's satisficing concept of bounded rationality, also well explained in Albert Hirschman's Exit, Voice, and Loyalty, Cyril Parkinson's law and all. It's old. It's been coming out of fewer and fewer people. That trend will continue, and eventually accelerate until Warren Bennis's prediction is realised, two employees being enough, a man and a dog, the first to feed the second, and the second to keep the first from touching anything.? Part of your article's text is duplicated. Slack?