The communication gap in the AI workplace
Australian companies are redesigning jobs, tasks and teams around artificial intelligence faster than many are explaining to employees what those changes mean.
HP found 57 per cent of Australian IT decision-makers and 53 per cent of business leaders said AI adoption had created new roles or teams. Pulford says relatively few leaders reported that AI was replacing jobs.
Employees are nevertheless thinking about what the technology could mean for their careers. Six in 10 Australian knowledge workers surveyed by HP said they were prioritising transferable skills over climbing a traditional career ladder.
“Communication and employee experience need to be considered part of AI implementation because employees ultimately determine whether the technology delivers value,” Pulford says. “You can deploy very sophisticated technology, but if people don’t understand it, trust it or know how to use it effectively, the implementation will fall short.”
HP’s research found trust in leadership was the biggest driver of how people felt about work. Pulford says employers need to explain where new roles are emerging and give workers a path to acquire the skills required for them.
“At its best, AI can help take friction out of repetitive tasks and create more space for creativity, problem-solving, customer engagement and human connection,” he says. “But employees will only see that opportunity if organisations give them the skills and confidence to participate in it.”
