Trauma awareness, fractional execs, and bridging the AI divide
Here are 5 things to know about work this week.
Hello, and welcome to WorkLife ’s 5 things newsletter. In this weekly newsletter, we will spotlight five things to know about the latest issues affecting modern workplaces.
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1. Is AI your smartest coworker, or greenest intern?
Generative AI tools were first purported to transform modern workflows and eventually do some people’s jobs entirely. But with the way most workers are using the tools today, that remains far from reality, workplace experts say.
While some credit a lack of training and AI education, others say it’s a larger problem with thinking of AI as a potentially highly-skilled and intelligent worker when it’s really like “your greenest intern,” said Emily Rose McRae , senior director analyst at Gartner . “It would not be a good idea to hire a bunch of interns to do what was previously highly skilled work.”
2. How trauma awareness in the workplace is growing for people leaders
Greater awareness around mental health in workplaces is now leading to more recognition around trauma and how it can impact one’s performance and work experience. And the shift is being led by Gen Z and Millennial workers who aim to break generational cycles associated with the topic, experts say.?
While the word trauma itself can be loaded for some, by definition, it “results from an event, series of events or set of circumstances that is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting effects on functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional or spiritual wellbeing.”
3. ‘From the boardroom to the breakroom’: The rise of fractional execs
What do streaming services, investment firms, content agencies, and a few ad tech start-ups have in common? They’re all turning to fractional execs. It turns out these part-time pros aren’t just for CMOs anymore — they’re taking over all corners of the corporate world, from the boardroom to the breakroom.
In case this movement has flown under your radar, fractional roles are essentially high-level executive positions filled on a part-time or contract basis, offering companies flexibility and expertise without the long-term commitment.
What started as a solution for companies needing a CMO – because, let’s face it, not every exec slot screams “full-time” – has now spread to every corner of the organization.
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4. From ‘me’ to ‘we’: How HR leaders can build better employee connections at work
As the workplace continues to evolve because of hybrid work and the acceleration of AI, fostering a sense of connection among employees has become more essential than ever.??
Still, only 23% of employees feel connected to their company culture, according to a recent Gallup poll . That poses a significant challenge to organizations as younger generations shift from a “me” to a “we” mindset, emphasizing shared goals and team success and something HR leaders play a vital role in facilitating.
5. How HR plays an essential role in bridging a growing AI divide among employees
As generative AI becomes more entrenched in work life, a deepening divide along age, gender and seniority threatens to derail benefits of the technology — and HR leaders are playing a key role in bridging that gap.?
A new study from AI-driven training platform Cypher Learning, based on responses from more than 4,500 workers across the U.S., U.K. and Mexico, finds that while many employees see the potential for AI in reducing repetitive tasks, others feel left behind by the technology — namely, women, older workers and manual workers.
Color by names and numbers
1 in 5 employees is choosing to work from home more often because they simply can’t stand the gossip, flirting and swearing of their office mates, the employment website Indeed found.
Elsewhere in Digiday Media
Check out some of Digiday Media’s other stories on the future of work over the past week:
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This newsletter was curated by Courtney Marabella , senior social media/audience manager for Digiday . Let us know what you think, or what you hope to see more of, by dropping us a note at [email protected] .