logo
It's vital to balance AI agility with workplace stability

It's vital to balance AI agility with workplace stability

The Australian19-05-2025

Artificial intelligence's adoption has rapidly moved beyond the pilot phase as the technology is implemented at scale at many organisations in a way that is fundamentally changing how they operate.
That change is bringing tangible benefits that leaders are quick to recognise and celebrate – and so they should. But in my experience, some leaders are failing to consider and address the workplace tensions that AI implementation can bring.
Navigating these tensions is fundamental to the long-term success of an AI strategy, which is in turn fundamental to most organisations' competitive edge: stand still and you'll be left behind. Deloitte's 2025 Global Human Capital Trends Report contains a few key questions leaders should be asking themselves so they can begin to tackle the issues at hand.
The first question addresses the primary tension of AI implementation: how do you provide workplace stability while remaining agile enough to stay competitive? How do we adapt the structures in our organisations and in individual teams to provide stability, agility and productivity? In a word (and please forgive the neologism), how do you combine stability and agility to create stagility?
Getting the balance right is vital as constant organisational change can impact employee morale. According to the Human Capital Trends Report, 75 per cent of the thousands of workers surveyed globally feel they need greater stability at work in the future.
Meanwhile, the business leaders surveyed for the report feel pressure to adapt: only 19 per cent feel traditional business models are suitable for creating value for employees and the organisation, while 85 per cent say they need to create more agile ways of organising work to swiftly adapt to market changes.
Navigating this tension between stability and agility raises a follow-up question: what do you do with the efficiency dividend AI generates? Depending on the organisation, there are a few ways the tangible gains AI produces can be deployed to drive benefits for the business and for employees.
Amanda Flouch is Human Capital National Lead Partner Deloitte Australia
For example, you could reskill and retrain workers whose flow of work has been impacted by AI, helping them develop skills that have the greatest potential to create value for both the organisation and individual. This question is especially pertinent given the potential of agentic AI technologies to autonomously perform tasks. Humans and agents will need to work alongside one another, which will allow humans to focus on higher value tasks.
What skills to focus on is a question that human capital leaders in particular will need to consider in the context of their industry. But broadly speaking, premiums are being placed on soft skills that support critical thinking, innovation, collaboration, and meaningful human interaction – the things that AI can't do.
According to our report, companies that focus on enhancing human capabilities are almost twice as likely to have employees who believe their work is meaningful and twice as likely to achieve stronger financial and business outcomes.
In addition, AI literacy is a core skill that even workers who do not use the technology every day need to have. Many employers are taking the initiative to directly upskill their workforce through formal training but it's equally important to ask: how can I empower employees to play and experiment with AI?
Encouraging experimentation drives innovation and helps employees build trust in the AI as well as confidence in their own ability to navigate a world increasingly defined by it, enhancing feelings of stability.
Similarly, leaders need to think about this question: how can you use AI to treat everyone like a high performer? Respondents to Human Capital Trends highlighted that among all workplace practices, performance development is ranked as the second most important area for change following learning and development.
By focusing on a worker's individual skills and abilities rather than just their job description, organisations can incentivise growth, learning and innovation. Measuring and rewarding performance based on human and machine outcomes could also help workers share in the rewards of AI.
Where practicable, it might make sense for organisations to tie performance outcomes to employee development of AI proficiency, or to evaluate how their AI use is driving better outcomes for the business.
Leaders who can answer these key questions have a much higher chance of navigating the tensions between agility and stability, increasing the chances of successfully implementing AI in the long term and gaining a competitive edge. However, a leader's answers will also need to change with time, industry development and further technological advancement.
Careful, repeat consideration should be given to these questions as the nature of work continues to change – it will help ensure your organisation is correctly balancing both agility and stability.
Amanda Flouch is Human Capital National Lead Partner Deloitte Australia.
-
Disclaimer
This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor.
Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication.
About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ('DTTL'), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. Please see www.deloitte.com/au to learn more.
Copyright © 2025 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
-

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Best EOFY 2025 electric vehicle (EV) car sales in Australia
Best EOFY 2025 electric vehicle (EV) car sales in Australia

News.com.au

time2 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Best EOFY 2025 electric vehicle (EV) car sales in Australia

End of financial year sales for new cars aren't just great for people shopping for a deal - they're also an important opportunity for manufacturers to move metal off their books. Battery-powered models are selling slowly in 2025, which means there are bargains to be had in showrooms. ELECTRIC VEHICLES Polestar: Customers who choose the Polestar 3 benefit from around $20,000 in free extras including powertrain and plus packs. Long-range dual-motor versions that usually cost about $143,000 drive-away are now about $115,000 drive-away. Hyundai Ioniq 6: A new Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan is around the corner, so the brand is offering an impressive $20,000 deposit contribution as long as you finance through Hyundai, borrowing significantly less than you would ordinarily need. Customers can also choose between a free $1500 charging voucher or wall charger. Jeep Avenger: Usually available for $49,990 plus on-road costs, the electric Jeep Avenger offers strong value at $40,000 drive-away – a discount of about $15,000. Deepal S07: Save around $8500 on the Deepal S07 electric SUV, now available from $49,990 drive-away. Fiat 500e: Available from $49,990 drive-away, the Fiat 500e is around $5000 cheaper than its launch price. GWM Ora: The GWM ORA is one of Australia's cheapest EVs. Currently available from $33,990 drive-away, the retro-chic hatch represents a $6000 discount. Omoda E5: China's Omoda E5 is on sale for $40,527 drive-away, a $6000 discount on this medium-sized SUV. Ford Mustang Mach-E: The Blue Oval badly misjudged prices when it launched the electric Mach-E in 2023. Originally available from $79,990 plus thousands more in on-road costs, the car soon dropped to $64,990 plus on-roads. Today you can gtr hold of it for $63,990 drive-away, which is about $20,000 less than its original offer. Geely EX5: Having only just launched in Australia, Geely isn't ready to slash prices for its electric SUV. But customers do get tasty extras such as a $2000 gift card, $2000 trade-in bonus and a free charging cable that together represent about $5000 in savings. Cupra Born: Originally launched for $59,990 plus on-roads, the Cupra Born can be had for $49,990 drive-away, a discount of about $15,000. MG: Great prices for electric MG models include the MG4 priced from $36,990 drive-away (about $5000 off) and the MG ZS EV for $35,888. Tesla: Trade-in bonuses of $3000 for the Model 3 join free 'autopilot' upgrades that make the electric sedan easy to live with in traffic. BYD: BYD is also reluctant to cut prices, so its EOFY offer surrounds sharp finance – as little as 2.99 per cent on the Sealion 6. Leapmotor: Cheap loans for the new Leapmotor C10 – just 1.9 per cent per annum – meet a free wall charger for electric versions. Its hybrid cousin is punchy, too, priced from just $45,900 drive-away. Smart: Free on-road costs on Smart #1 and #3 models in stock offer around $5500 in savings for electric customers at LSH Auto dealerships. Toyota: Toyota is offering 1.9 per cent finance on the bZ4X, along with a free wall charger. Volvo: The $7500 premium separating two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the C40 Recharge has been slashed to just $1000 – you can get one for $88,990 drive-away.

Tackling Australia's productivity problem
Tackling Australia's productivity problem

ABC News

time10 hours ago

  • ABC News

Tackling Australia's productivity problem

We have been talking about stalled productivity in Australia for some time. Now the prime minister has called for a summit in August to drive change - with a caveat that the government's industrial relations changes are not up for discussion. All parties agree that business investment needs to increase, but what does business get in return? Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood says look to AI. 7.30's Sarah Ferguson interviews Danielle Wood.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store