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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The biggest barrier to AI adoption in the business world isn't tech – it's user confidence
The Little Engine That Could wasn't the most powerful train, but she believed in herself. The story goes that, as she set off to climb a steep mountain, she repeated: 'I think I can, I think I can.' That simple phrase from a children's story still holds a lesson for today's business world – especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. AI is no longer a distant promise out of science fiction. It's here and already beginning to transform industries. But despite the hundreds of billions of dollars spent on developing AI models and platforms, adoption remains slow for many employees, with a recent Pew Research Center survey finding that 63% of U.S. workers use AI minimally or not at all in their jobs. The reason? It can often come down to what researchers call technological self-efficacy, or, put simply, a person's belief in their ability to use technology effectively. In my research on this topic, I found that many people who avoid using new technology aren't truly against it – instead, they just don't feel equipped to use it in their specific jobs. So rather than risk getting it wrong, they choose to keep their distance. And that's where many organizations derail. They focus on building the engine, but don't fully fuel the confidence that workers need to get it moving. Albert Bandura, the psychologist who developed the theory of self-efficacy, noted that skill alone doesn't determine people's behavior. What matters more is a person's belief in their ability to use that skill effectively. In my study of teachers in 1:1 technology environments – classrooms where each student is equipped with a digital device like a laptop or tablet – this was clear. I found that even teachers with access to powerful digital tools don't always feel confident using them. And when they lack confidence, they may avoid the technology or use it in limited, superficial ways. The same holds true in today's AI-equipped workplace. Leaders may be quick to roll out new tools and want fast results. But employees may hesitate, wondering how it applies to their roles, whether they'll use it correctly, or if they'll appear less competent – or even unethical – for relying on it. Beneath that hesitation may also be the all-too-familiar fear of one day being replaced by technology. Going back to train analogies, think of John Henry, the 19th-century folk hero. As the story goes, Henry was a railroad worker who was famous for his strength. When a steam-powered machine threatened to replace him, he raced it – and won. But the victory came at a cost: He collapsed and died shortly afterward. Henry's story is a lesson in how resisting new technology through sheer willpower can be self-defeating. Rather than leaving some employees feeling like they have to outmuscle or outperform AI, organizations should invest in helping them understand how to work with it – so they don't feel like they need to work against it. Many organizations do offer training related to using AI. But these programs are often too broad, covering topics like how to log into different programs, what the interfaces look like, or what AI 'generally' can do. In 2025, with the number of AI tools at our disposal, ranging from conversational chatbots and content creation platforms to advanced data analytics and workflow automation programs, that's not enough. In my study, participants consistently said they benefited most from training that was 'district-specific,' meaning tailored to the devices, software and situations they faced daily with their specific subject areas and grade levels. Translation for the corporate world? Training needs to be job-specific and user-centered – not one-size-fits-all. It's not exactly shocking: Younger workers tend to feel more confident using technology than older ones. Gen Z and millennials are digital natives – they've grown up with digital technologies as part of their daily lives. Gen X and boomers, on the other hand, often had to adapt to using digital technologies mid-career. As a result, they may feel less capable and be more likely to dismiss AI and its possibilities. And if their few forays into AI are frustrating or lead to mistakes, that first impression is likely to stick. When generative AI tools were first launched commercially, they were more likely to hallucinate and confidently spit out incorrect information. Remember when Google demoed its Bard AI tool in 2023 and its factual error led to its parent company losing US$100 billion in market value? Or when an attorney made headlines for citing fabricated cases courtesy of ChatGPT? Moments like those likely reinforced skepticism – especially among workers already unsure about AI's reliability. But the technology has already come a long way in a relatively short period of time. The solution to getting those who may be slower to embrace AI isn't to push them harder, but to coach them and consider their backgrounds. Bandura identified four key sources that shape a person's belief in their ability to succeed: Mastery experiences, or personal success Vicarious experiences, or seeing others in similar positions succeed Verbal persuasion, or positive feedback Physiological and emotional states, or someone's mood, energy, anxiety and so forth. In my research on educators, I saw how these concepts made a difference, and the same approach can apply to AI in the corporate world – or in virtually any environment in which a person needs to build self-efficacy. In the workplace, this could be accomplished with cohort-based trainings that include feedback loops – regular communication between leaders and employees about growth, improvement and more – along with content that can be customized to employees' needs and roles. Organizations can also experiment with engaging formats like PricewaterhouseCoopers' prompting parties, which provide low-stakes opportunities for employees to build confidence and try new AI programs. In 'Pokemon Go!,' it's possible to level up by stacking lots of small, low-stakes wins and gaining experience points along the way. Workplaces could approach AI training the same way, giving employees frequent, simple opportunities tied to their actual work to steadily build confidence and skill. The curriculum doesn't have to be revolutionary. It just needs to follow these principles and not fall victim to death by PowerPoint, or end up being generic training that isn't applicable to specific roles in the workplace. As organizations continue to invest heavily in developing and accessing AI technologies, it's also essential that they invest in the people who will use them. AI might change what the workforce looks like, but there's still going to be a workforce. And when people are well trained, AI can make both them and the outfits they work for significantly more effective. Greg Edwards does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
21 Not-Talked-About Movies That Basically Scarred An Entire Generation
Recently, we wrote about the films that have absolutely scarred an entire generation. And, in response, we got SO MANY MORE good suggestions from our BuzzFeed Community. Here are the less-talked-about movies that emotionally traumatized people when they were younger: Little Engine That Could (1991): "That. Mountain. Scene." —garfieldgal10414 the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964): "I didn't realize how traumatic those Christmas claymation movies were until I showed them to my then 3-year-old, who literally ran from the room screaming. The abominable snowmen and the island of misfit toys are nightmare fuel." —yogaco Dog Skip (2000): "I love dogs so much, and I was told by everyone I knew that I needed to watch that movie. NO ONE TOLD ME WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. It's scarred me to this day." —pinkpunk41 Hears a Who (1970): "The Wickersham Brothers gave me nightmares, big time." —youngwolf985 on Zombie Island (1998): "That movie traumatized so many kids who either saw it when it came out or on TV later." —leafy8101 of the Flies (1990): "I stumbled across that movie when I was really young, before I had any idea it was a classic, and it scared the bejeebers out of me." —brytniikay Sound of Music (1965): "The Nazis in The Sound of Music...I had to sleep with all the lights on." —lazyfish23 the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977): "I cry every time." —kennykboom (1974): "How has no one mentioned this yet? It's terrifying at times." —rebeccae4d5d5802c Web (1973): "My 4-year-old and I both cried at the end of Charlotte's Web. I asked her what was wrong, and she said, 'She didn't get to see her babies.' I'm crying now." —furrydolphin286 (1985): "It was probably irrational of me, but the movie gave me nightmares for a week. I was maybe 7 or 8 when I watched it; I would cry whenever I went to the bathroom because I was afraid someone would come out of a secret passage/hidden panel and stab me. I didn't feel safe in my own home!" —alisha2435 White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937): "I was 5 and the mirror scared me so much." —ssisqueen in the Mist (1988): "I saw it as a child, and I still can't watch any movie about animals 40 years later." —bitterwitch87 Wicked This Way Comes (1983): "It scared me to death. It made me scared of carnivals for a while. I'm 53 and will not watch it to this day." —fierceshield934 Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure (1977): "My parents recorded it off the TV, and I damn near wore the VHS tape out watching it even though it scared the absolute shit out of me." —dandelano III (1983): "The scene where the woman gets turned into a borg scared the crap out of me as a kid." —bmw1138 O'Gill and the Little People (1959): "When the banchees came to the front door towards the end, I had nightmares for years." —homeygoblin3712 Upon A Forest (1993): "😭😭😭." —laurwhit Transformers: The Movie (1986): "I was a NASA and Transformers kid. In 1986, the Challenger exploded, and they killed Optimus Prime — that year warped me for life! —laughingasteroid20 20.A Troll in Central Park (1994): "It was the most terrifying movie to me as a kid, and I still can't watch it." —alir47cbc11ca Poppins (1964): "Don't laugh, but, specifically the scene where they were all up by the ceiling. As a wee tot, my cousins would torture me by playing 'I Love to Laugh,' knowing it would send me into hysterics. Even now, I still get the ghost of a shiver listening to that song." —ladicair You can read about more of the films that scarred generations here, here, and here! Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
