Tomorrow’s Workplace: Humans and AI Co-existing as Colleagues

Lars Faeste, Head of Applications, Oracle Thailand
Lars Faeste, Head of Applications, Oracle Thailand

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken over the way we live, work, and do business. Specifically, in the Asia Pacific region, businesses are adopting advanced AI faster than their counterparts in the rest of the world. According to a recent study, 22 per cent of companies in APAC are at advanced stages of machine learning deployments against just 7 per cent in Europe and 11 per cent in North America. Clearly, companies in Asia Pacific are ahead in driving business improvements by integrating AI technology in their functions.

 

AI-generated innovation is fostering optimism across the region. In the workplace and across departments, it has matured into a catalyst that has helped improve employee efficiency and wellbeing. It’s establishing a new work atmosphere where human capital resources co-exist with robots or digital assistants and where the primary benefits encompass improved productivity, efficiency and profitability.

 

Growing positivity for AI in the workplace

 

For decades AI has aroused both fear and excitement. Mostly, there has been widespread fear of the possibilities of increased unemployment on account of workplace automation. However, in reality, APAC perception towards AI in the workplace has shifted more positively as more and more people developed a better understanding of AI and its applicability in the workplace to manage productivity.

 

According to a study conducted by Oracle and human-resources advisory and research firm, Future Workplace, 80 per cent of APAC countries surveyed said more than half of their workers are currently using some form of AI in the workplace. More specifically, 77 per cent of workers in China and 78 per cent of workers in India have adopted AI, which are more than double the 32 per cent in France and 38 per cent in the United Kingdom.

 

Moreover, 64 per cent of people surveyed said they trust robots more than their managers, with geographic findings ranging from as high as 90 per cent in India, 88 per cent in China and 84 per cent in Singapore. The study also revealed that APAC markets are approaching the future of AI in the workplace with readiness and excitement, ranking these attributes higher than feelings of concern, fear, uncertainty or indifference.

 

Delivering smart, intuitive, informed HR to support the business directly

 

The rising affinity toward AI has increased its adoption in specialised business functions – take Human Resources (HR) for example. As businesses become more complex and the need to hire resources with sophisticated, modern skills grows, the war for talent is mounting. HR departments have begun to use AI to optimise both their recruitment functions and back-end processes, thereby boosting higher levels of efficiency and performance.

 

In APAC specifically, 76 per cent of talent acquisition professionals cite they are already using AI as a sourcing tool since it generates higher-quality candidates in order to stop unconscious biases and ensure an equitable hiring process. For example, HR departments are now starting to deploy AI in their recruitment processes, to help them screen candidates by assessing copious data points objectively while even being programmed to ignore candidates’ demographic information. In fact, the Oracle and Future Workplace study found that in APAC, up to 53 per cent of people think robots can provide unbiased information and feedback – better than managers.

 

Furthermore, automation of more manual tasks through AI allows HR managers to focus their time on more strategic assignments such as attracting, developing and retaining top talent. By employing AI-powered human capital management technologies, HR managers can harness valuable data-driven insights on employees and their training and career development needs. This enables HR practitioners to execute faster, smarter business decisions and keep up with fast-paced market demands and changes.

 

Preparing the workforce for the future AI world

 

Given AI’s multifarious benefits to the workforce and HR managers, AI is here to stay. However, according to the study by Oracle and Future Workplace, 76 per cent of employees and 81 per cent of HR leaders find it challenging to keep up with the pace of technological changes in the workforce. These numbers are higher in China (96 per cent) and India (93 per cent). One way to bridge the gap of the rapid advancement in technology with employee preparedness is to support the upskilling and re-skilling of employees. It’s important for organisations to acknowledge the need to invest in new skills development so they remain relevant in the workforce.

 

As AI continue to change the role of employees and managers at work, one of the most critical ways that managers can upskill to remain relevant is by fostering stronger relationships with their staff and exceling in areas where technology falls short. By embracing aspects of emotional intelligence, such as personalizing the experience to reflect their reports individually, providing coaching for employees and creating a conducive work culture, while simultaneously striving for objectivity, human managers can work in tandem with their AI counterparts, without becoming “obsolete”.

 

Fully embracing AI as a job augmenter

 

In today’s digital economy, AI is becoming so prevalent that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT Technology) predicts it will impact one in five jobs in APAC by 2024 eliminating one in eight, but more importantly, enhancing many as well.

 

Denying the impact of the AI revolution in the workplace is no longer an option. Everyone across an organisation – be it entry-level associates or managers and senior executives, and HR professionals – should welcome AI as a vital tool that will enhance business productivity, employee wellbeing, and recruitment processes.  

 

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