Well-Defined Strategy and OKRs Are Key To Successful AI Adoption in the Workplace
Employees say a clear strategy and communication across the organizations make them feel positive about AI adoption.
- The business world is seeing a proliferation of AI solutions. While these solutions can potentially transform businesses and how we work, people are also concerned about their impact on their jobs.
- With more companies looking to adopt AI, how are they using it, what are employees’ attitudes toward it, and how can companies successfully adopt it in the workplace?
- Zokri recently conducted a study to find the answers.
The last few months have seen a massive development in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including the likes of ChatGPT, Bard, and Dall-E. This has led to a proliferation of AI solutions in the market. And these solutions are expected to revolutionize how we work, live, and operate. They are also expected to improve organization metrics, such as productivity, customer experience, and ROI, to a great extent. According to a 2021 study by McKinsey, 27% of respondents reported at least 5% of earnings before interest and taxes attributable to AI. All that said, there are also fears about their negative impact, especially on our work and career.
With companies increasingly leaning toward AI adoption, how are they using it, and what are employees’ attitudes toward adopting the technology? Further, how can organizations successfully adopt AI in the workplace? Zokri recently conducted a study to find the answers. Here are a few insights from the survey.
See more: How AI Talent Marketplaces Are Revolutionizing the Workplace
AI Is Witnessing Adoption in a Range of Job Roles
The study found that 53% of professionals used AI to assist them in their role within the last year. Further, 64% said it is likely that their organization will increase AI usage within the year ahead. So, how is AI being used in organizations?
According to the study, 28% of respondents use it for research, 25% for drafting email copies, and 25% for customer service. About 24% use it either to summarize large amounts of information or for data analysis. About 22% also use it to write copy, code, or learn a new skill. A few people also use it to answer questions from colleagues.
Professionals Are Concerned About AI Adoption
With all the hype around AI being better than human resources in certain aspects, a growing emphasis on automation, and increased adoption across industries and organizations, employees are naturally concerned about the technology’s impact on their jobs.
About 49% of respondents believe there will be job losses in their company due to AI adoption. About 42% were specifically worried about their job security. About 39% even went to the extent of saying that the recent AI adoption in their sector may lead to the industry’s demise altogether.
Clearly Defined Strategies Can Alleviate Employee Fears
With many employees worried about AI’s impact on their jobs or industries, setting clear strategies and communicating them across the organization can help reassure employees. In fact, 69% of employees said that a clearly defined strategy for how the technology will be used within their company would make them feel better about AI’s adoption. About 64% also agreed that clear communication around its adoption would make them feel better about their job security. Currently, 50% feel they are being kept in the dark about how AI will be used.
The study further found that a clear strategy can potentially lead to more organizational success. About 65% of employees agreed it would make them feel more confident about the technology being a success for their organization, and 60% said it could lead to better talent recruitment. About 57% felt that without a clear strategy around AI adoption, their organization would struggle to keep up with their competitors.
How OKRs Can Make AI Successful for Businesses
The Objective and Key Results (OKRs) framework can be a valuable tool for companies wanting to adopt AI. They can make employees feel more positive about AI adoption and help leaders make the technology successful for their company. When employees understand how their companies use AI to support their work and achieve larger goals, they are more likely to accept and embrace it. They may even consider how it can help boost their efficiency and productivity.
Further, by involving employees in their strategic planning process, companies can ensure that their people have a voice in AI’s adoption and how it is being used and provide feedback on how it can be optimized to support their work better. When employees feel their opinions are valued and the technology is used to support them, they are likelier to show enthusiasm in its usage.
Furthermore, OKRs can be a powerful tool to ensure that the technology initiatives consistently align with business goals. This helps ensure the technology is strategically used to deliver real business value. For example, the company may want to improve efficiency through automation. It can set key results, such as reducing manual processing time by 50%. By setting such OKRs, the company can then track progress and ensure that all AI-based initiatives are on track to deliver the expected value and outcomes.
See more: The Future Is Here: The Evolution and Implications of AI in the Workplace
Use Strategy and OKRs for Successful AI Adoption
It is clear that without a proper strategy and communication plan, companies risk wasting resources, not having employee buy-in, and missing out on opportunities AI can offer. By setting clear goals, aligning them with OKRs, and developing a clear strategy, companies can ensure that the technology’s implementation is focused, measurable, aligned with overall business goals, and embraced by its people.
What steps have you taken to adopt AI in your organization successfully? Share with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!
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