As AI reshapes the workplace, we chatted with our Product Manager, Sophie Attenborough, to clear up common myths and explore its benefits. We also spoke about key skills, ethical considerations, and how AI can boost innovation and success in your organization.
What are some misconceptions or myths about AI that you frequently see, and how would you debunk them?
The most common misconception I see about AI is its potential to produce harmful or unreliable information. At Thomas, we’ve taken great care to design our AI following ethical AI principles.
Take our AI functionality, for example, which exclusively uses our verified content to ensure accuracy and positivity in every response. This means that the user cannot receive any harmful or incorrect information, as it is only looking through the data provided by our team of psychologists and written in clear, positive language. By doing this, not only are we safeguarding against misinformation, we’re showcasing AI’s ability to enhance human knowledge and productivity with content you can trust.
Another myth I often hear is the fear of AI leading to widespread job displacement, when really, AI is there to assist you rather than replace human roles.
By leveraging the technology, you can streamline administrative tasks and facilitate better team dynamics, particularly in a remote setting and allow employees to concentrate on meaningful work. It's all about integrating AI as a supportive force in the workplace, fostering innovation and growth hand in hand with human capabilities.
In your opinion, what skills and competencies will become increasingly valuable as AI technologies become more prevalent in the workplace?
As AI becomes more ingrained in workplaces, mastering practical skills will be key. Knowing how to effectively use AI tools, such as refining queries for precise information retrieval, will be crucial.
It’ll be equally important to nurture critical thinking to assess the reliability of AI-generated insights and discerning between different sources of information. By honing these skills, teams can confidently harness AI’s potential, boosting productivity and decision-making while keeping a grounded perspective on data reliability.
What opportunities does AI adoption create for organisations?
AI adoption brings organizations incredible opportunities beyond just handling administrative tasks. It's about boosting teamwork and nurturing genuine connections among colleagues.
From my experience, our AI functionality at Thomas has empowered managers to have meaningful one-on-one sessions, navigate tough conversations, and craft meeting agendas aligned with team goals. It’s truly heartening to see how AI fosters camaraderie, encourages new interactions, and strengthens team bonds, making work more fulfilling and collaborative.
What ethical considerations should organizations prioritize when deploying AI in HR functions, and how can they ensure fairness and transparency?
When organizations integrate AI into HR functions, they need to ensure the supplier is upfront about where the AI sources its information and ensure it's ethically sound.
Like, with our AI at Thomas, all of our AI sources are our assessments and we’re very transparent about it. It’s important to provide clear explanations, free from technical jargon, so everyone can understand how the AI operates. This is the best way to ensure confidence and openness within your team when implementing AI.
Training our AI to deliver gender-neutral responses underscores our commitment to inclusivity and fairness in every interaction. By embracing these practices, organizations not only leverage AI's capabilities but also uphold ethical standards that promote trust and transparency in HR operations.
What advice would you give to HR professionals or business leaders who are hesitant about adopting AI?
If you’re hesitant about adopting AI in HR, my advice is to approach it with curiosity and courage. There are many misconceptions out there, but dismissing AI outright isn’t the solution.
I’d encourage you to engage directly with the teams building these AI solutions who understand AI inside out, as they’ll be able to provide clarity on its benefits and limitations. Instead of diving deep into technical details, focus on understanding how AI can support your specific business needs and empower your team effectively.
Collaborating closely with AI providers will ensure you get tailored support and enablement, setting you up for success in integrating AI responsibly and effectively.
If you’d like to hear more about how Thomas is using AI within the Perform platform, visit: https://www.thomas.co/our-ai
