Top 5 Workplace Issues Emerging From AI and Automation

The most obvious risk AI poses is the danger of taking many low-input, manual-effort jobs. On the one hand, technological advances like steel manufacturing software are tremendously beneficial to businesses as they help streamline processes and cut costs. But these technological advancements, on the other hand,  may also mean significant job cuts. 

Albert Kim, VP of Talent at Checkr, shares this insight: “The rapid developments in AI may mean that, unlike previous technological advances, AI may pose a more significant risk as rapid advancements within the field may mean that workers are left with too little time to reskill or pivot into other jobs.” 

Businesses may not be able to promise not to cut any jobs, but they can help bridge the gap by providing re-education and reskilling schemes to provide a cushion for any affected workers. 

In particular, non-technical skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and cultural understanding may help individuals become increasingly valuable and less replaceable by AI tools. These skills, often developed through diverse learning experiences like taking Old English classes, for example, can help differentiate individuals in the competitive job market.

AI and machine learning algorithms generally learn how to think by mimicking human thought using human-generated data. However, as AI tools have evolved, it has become apparent that these tools are easily capable of adopting and reinforcing bases depending on the diversity of the datasets they are exposed to.

For example, ATS software can transform your recruiting processes using AI and automation tools. However, without transparency into the datasets the AI is trained on, these processes will very likely exhibit unintentional biases. 

As Grant Aldrich, Founder of Online Degree, puts it, “Diverse and ethically compiled datasets can help eliminate biases and facilitate fairer outcomes in key business processes like recruiting, but the opposite is also true, and poorly compiled datasets can reinforce systemic biases and lead to unfair outcomes.” 

If you run a business that relies significantly on AI, especially when it comes to interactions with humans, the challenge is to ensure that data compilation processes meet ethical benchmarks, even if this might mean costlier production processes.

Addressing bias is not just about improving dataset diversity but also about ensuring regular audits and updates to the algorithms used. Biases can evolve or become ingrained over time, and organizations need to actively monitor AI behavior to prevent discrimination. Furthermore, collaboration with ethicists, legal experts, and technologists is key to creating AI systems that align with fairness and inclusivity principles.

One lesser-known use of AI technology is in tracking employee productivity and workplace behavior. For instance, AI tools are quite adept at analyzing body language to provide an assessment of whether or not a person may be really focusing on their work. 

There are significant questions over whether such uses of AI overstep ethical boundaries. There are few laws to address these issues at the moment, so most employers have the leverage to make their own policies around this. 

Nora Sudduth, Founder & Owner at Nora Sudduth Coaching, says AI is generally a force for good but should be used ethically. 

In her words, “AI’s ability to make work more efficient is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can offer insights into productivity that were previously impossible to measure, and that could be genuinely valuable. But if this comes at the risk of seeing people purely as inputs into the production process, then its net value is arguably negative.”

For businesses that uphold high ethical standards, using AI to track and monitor employees may be a line to avoid crossing. Businesses should look the other way by looking to use software such as HR technology to improve the employee experience.

Companies can look to leverage AI tools in ways that benefit workers holistically, such as offering personalized development opportunities, identifying areas for skill improvement, and facilitating better communication between teams. This approach not only fosters a healthier work environment but also builds trust, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce.

Aside from the objective, measurable effects that job losses may pose to workers, there is also a mental and emotional toll exerted as they face so much uncertainty over their future employment prospects. The fear of financial instability, combined with feelings of inadequacy, can lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout, especially when workers feel they lack control over their future.

Businesses can help mitigate these by not only providing reskilling support but also being transparent about their plans to integrate AI tools into their workflows and by offering mental health support programs to employees who are likely to be affected.  Regular check-ins, counselling services, and stress management workshops can further enhance employee well-being during periods of transition.

AI tools are not unique in enabling workers to stay connected to their work even when they’re out of the office. Remote work has become a mainstay of corporate culture, and this has led to the development of the productivity tech industry. 

AI and automation tools, however, are likely to add to the way these tools keep workers plugged in and can potentially make it much harder to have a reasonable work-life balance. As AI becomes more integrated into workflows, tasks can be automated and managed remotely, which may blur the distinction between work hours and personal time. Constant connectivity can create the expectation that employees should always be available, further eroding personal boundaries. Businesses need to be intentional about promoting a healthy work-life balance by creating and enforcing policies around managing remote work. 

If you’d like to explore this concept, this article on strategies for flexibility at work would be a great place to get started.

AI and automation tools have clearly had a positive impact on the way most businesses and organizations run. However, as with most innovations, the growing use of these tools raises valid ethical concerns.

We’ve highlighted a few of the most critical concerns around the use of AI and automation tools, along with some practical suggestions for helping your business use these tools more ethically. If you apply these tips, it should lead to a win-win outcome. Good luck!

Catherine Schwartz is a marketing and e-commerce content creator who helps brands grow their revenue and take their businesses to new heights.