AI and the Future of Work
How AI can help us to create better and more equitable organizations
As a business consultant, I’m embarrassed to say that I truly do not understand how Artificial Intelligence is going to quickly transform our workplace (and my guess is many other leaders do not know either). As someone who focuses on allyship in the workplace, I want to know how we can use this technology to create better and more equitable workplaces for all employees. Can we use this tool to eliminate bias and also capture microaggressions in real time?
To cut through the hype and get to the heart of the matter, I sat down with Alida Al-Saadi, a trailblazer at the intersection of people strategy and AI. With her unique blend of experience from tech giants and consulting powerhouses, Alida offers a fresh perspective on how generative AI is rewriting the rules of the game. In this two-part series, we’ll explore the AI revolution and its far-reaching implications. Part One is a primer and overview of AI. Part Two will examine the specific impact on DEI and the Future of Work.
Q: Alida, briefly describe your background and how you came to do this work.
A: My professional journey has been marked by impactful roles at global firms such as Accenture, Great Place to Work and Korn Ferry. At Accenture, I honed my skills in strategy consulting, helping companies navigate complex challenges and achieve their business objectives. My tenure at Great Place to Work involved building a strong business to enhance workplace cultures and employee engagement that fosters environments where people thrive and businesses succeed.
Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of establishing an award-winning partnership with Microsoft’s Modern Work Solutions. With this, my focus has been on the intersection of people strategy and Generative AI to drive business performance and growth. This role has opened the door to exploring how the implementation of cutting-edge GenAI solutions enhances organizational capabilities and optimizes the potential of people who work.
Q: For those who might not be familiar, can you explain the difference between AI and Generative AI?
A: Certainly. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad field that encompasses various technologies and techniques aimed at creating machines that can mimic human intelligence. This includes tasks like learning, reasoning, problem-solving and understanding natural language.
Generative AI, on the other hand, is a specific type of AI focused on creating new content. This means it can generate text, images, music and even videos based on the data it has been trained on. For example, GenAI can write a story, draw a picture or compose a piece of music that didn’t exist before.
So, while AI includes everything from recognizing your voice to driving cars, GenAI is specifically about creating new things.
Q: Why is understanding GenAI important for business leaders?
A: Understanding GenAI is important for businesses for several reasons. It allows businesses to identify where it can add the most value, drive innovation, enhance efficiency and make better strategic decisions. GenAI can also augment employee capabilities, allowing them to focus on more complex, high-value tasks. Moreover, it’s important to address ethical considerations and ensure responsible implementation.
Q: What impacts do you see GenAI having on the workforce and society at large?
A: The impacts are far-reaching. For the workforce, we’ll see an evolution of skills and work, with GenAI handling routine tasks and allowing employees to focus on more complex and creative work. This will require continuous learning and adaptation.
While the impacts of GenAI are vast and varied, the key to harnessing its potential lies in proactive management, ethical considerations and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits are widely shared across society. This involves collaboration between governments, industries and educational institutions to address challenges and leverage opportunities for a better future.
On a broader societal level, GenAI will drive economic transformation, creating new business models and industries. However, it raises important ethical and legal considerations, particularly regarding data privacy and fairness. We’ll see impacts on social interaction, cultural industries, healthcare and more.
In conclusion, the AI revolution isn’t just a technological shift—it’s a seismic change in how we work, strategize and create value. As Alida’s insights reveal, generative AI isn’t merely a tool; it’s a transformative force reshaping our workplaces, strategies and society. The message is clear: adapt or risk obsolescence. But adaptation doesn’t mean blind adoption. It requires a delicate balance of innovation, ethics and human-centric thinking.
The organizations that will thrive are those that view generative AI not as a replacement for human ingenuity, but as a powerful amplifier of it. They’ll be the ones fostering a culture of continuous learning, reimagining their strategies, and ensuring that the AI revolution lifts all boats, not just a select few.
The key to harnessing GenAI’s potential lies in proactive decision-making to ensure that the benefits are widely shared across society.
The future of work isn’t just AI-assisted—it’s human-led and AI-empowered. Are you ready to lead in this new era? In Part Two we will examine the implications of AI and the implications for DEI including microaggressions, bias and the impact on performance management.
Note: The views expressed are solely those of the author and interviewee and may not represent those of their clients or employers.
Image: pexels/ketutsubiyanto