AI Is A Job Enabler, Not A Job Killer

Forbes

28-04-2025

Ruchi Kulhari is Chief Human Resources Officer of Unisys. She has over 20 years of expertise in HR strategy, implementation and metrics.
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No matter the industry, headlines have often displayed a doomsday scenario regarding AI, predicting it will replace jobs, stamp out creativity and make the human touch obsolete. Contrary to what these media headlines may say, AI is not a job killer. Instead, it has the power to transform the workforce for the better.
In fact, incorporating AI alongside a skilled workforce, where attrition is low and engagement is high, enables companies to deliver better results for their businesses and serve their clients while preparing for tomorrow's dynamic challenges.
AI Can Enable Faster Career Progression And Higher Satisfaction
At a time when employee satisfaction is at an all-time low and two-thirds of employees are experiencing burnout, employees need help with performing tasks to keep up with the demands of today's modern workforce. This is where AI can help by taking on redundant administrative tasks or time-intensive functions such as brainstorming, note-taking, organizing files and identifying patterns in organizational processes.
It is important to remember that AI was built to help humans accomplish tasks quickly, and it is up to company leaders to ensure their people know how to use the technology. Human Resources departments play a crucial role in upskilling talent and providing employees with what they need to thrive. As AI becomes more ingrained in everyday work life, companies must adapt now or risk being left behind.
Building An AI-Ready Culture
Currently, employees are overwhelmed by the rate of change in the business community. With technology leading many of the changes in the way people work, it is crucial that business leaders take necessary action to build up their workforce.
To accomplish this, leaders must first understand how employees are currently using AI, what may slow down adoption and any concerns they may have with the technology, such as the ethical use of the technology. Through establishing this baseline understanding, leaders can then introduce tools and policies centered around AI.
The next step is to invest in employee training to create a tech-enabled workforce, regardless of job titles or seniority. Through a mix of online, instructor-led and forum-based training, companies can help their employees master new skills necessary to complete their jobs. At Unisys, we do this through offering all employees base-level training and, depending on their role, advanced training. Through this approach, we are constantly evaluating how technology is changing so our employees understand how it impacts their roles. Not only does this create a culture dedicated to continuous learning, but it establishes greater trust among employees.
Companies can take this one step further by providing internal platforms where employees share how they are applying what they learned from ongoing training on a daily basis. At Unisys, we host an AI Forum, where our people across both business and functional areas gather to share case studies and data on how AI is easing their daily workload and assisting in the creation of new groundbreaking solutions.
Understanding When And How To Use AI
AI cannot fix every business issue, and not every AI tool is the same. When deciding which AI tools to incorporate into an organization, leaders must consider the needs of their clients and employees as well as security concerns, all with the goal of ensuring that sensitive company information is not used to teach the algorithm.
For example, many personnel services HR professionals provide are too important to be delegated to AI. Imagine going to HR with an important issue, like reporting a confidential conflict of interest, and instead of talking to a human, you must engage with a robot. There are times when AI is appropriate, and there are times when it is not. It is up to business leaders to ensure safeguards are in place to understand the difference.
Measuring AI Integration Success
Once companies decide on the right tools, they must also invest in measuring AI readiness among their employees. Luckily, many organizations already have the infrastructure in place to effectively evaluate how AI is used. Through tools like annual engagement surveys and exit interviews, leaders can receive greater insight into what is working as well as what needs improvement.
AI can empower employees, but company leaders and HR professionals must ensure workers are ready to use it. With a clear strategy, organizations and workers will be better equipped to use AI and meet new, upcoming business challenges.
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