AI and Employee Engagement – Balancing Technology and Ethics
AI and employee engagement – a match made in heaven? According to Engage For Success, employee engagement is about “drawing out a deeper commitment from employees and that organisations with high levels of employee engagement are more efficient and effective”. Engaged employees are not only more productive, but they also provide better customer service, drive innovation, and contribute to a positive work culture. However, many organisations struggle to keep their employees engaged and motivated. According to the most recent Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report, only 23% of the world’s workers feel engaged at work. This lack of engagement can lead to decreased productivity, high turnover rates, and ultimately, a negative impact on the bottom line.
Fortunately, AI has the potential to revolutionise employee engagement by providing real-time feedback, personalised learning and development opportunities, and optimising team creation. However, as many leaders have said, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’.
AI is a relatively new field. However, based on fundamental rights and ethical principles, the European Commission has come up with a list of seven key ethical requirements that relate to AI and we have outlined below what they are and how they might affect AI and employee engagement:
- Human Agency and Oversight
AI systems should support human autonomy and decision-making, respecting fundamental rights. To maintain good levels of employee engagement, it is essential to ensure that AI is used to empower employees rather than replace them. AI can be used to streamline administrative tasks, enabling employees to focus on more meaningful and strategic work. However, it should never undermine human decision-making or autonomy. AI systems that provide employees with the knowledge and tools to comprehend and interact with the technology should be implemented. This includes transparent communication about the system’s purpose, capabilities, and limitations. - Technical Robustness and Safety
The technical robustness and safety of AI systems are crucial to prevent harm and ensure their reliable performance. From an employee engagement perspective, the resilience of AI systems against attacks and security breaches should be prioritised. Robust security measures, such as encryption and access controls should be implemented to protect sensitive employee data from unauthorised access. Additionally, fallback plans need to be established to address potential problems or errors in AI systems. - Privacy and Data Governance
Respecting privacy and data governance is a fundamental requirement for trustworthy AI. HR departments play a vital role in safeguarding employee privacy and protecting their data. When implementing AI systems, data collection and processing needs to comply with applicable data protection laws. Employees should be informed about the data being collected and how it will be used. Transparency is key in maintaining employee trust and engagement. Moreover, priority should be given to the quality and integrity of data used in AI systems, addressing any biases and inaccuracies that may exist. - Transparency
Transparency is essential in building trust and understanding between employees and AI systems. They should be traceable and explainable and as such, employees should have access to information about the data, algorithms, and decision-making processes behind AI systems. This allows employees to better understand the system’s outcomes and builds confidence in its fairness. Additionally, it’s crucial to communicate clearly when employees are interacting with AI systems, ensuring that employees are aware of the technology’s presence and purpose. - Diversity, Non-discrimination, and Fairness
AI systems should avoid unfair bias, promote accessibility, and encourage stakeholder participation. If AI is to be used in the workplace, employees should be involved in the development and decision-making processes from the start. AI systems should not perpetuate discrimination or biases in the workplace and priority should be given to accessibility and universal design, allowing employees of all backgrounds and abilities to interact with AI systems. Additionally, biases in data sets used for training AI models and in historical data also need to be identified and addressed. - Societal and Environmental Wellbeing
The societal and environmental implications of AI systems need to be considered and as the EC states, “Ideally, AI systems should be used to benefit all human beings, including future generations.” From an employee engagement perspective, HR departments can leverage AI to create a positive social impact within the organisation and beyond. For example, AI systems can be used to enhance employee wellbeing by providing personalised recommendations for work-life balance or career development – both elements that can positively affect engagement when done right. - Accountability
Mechanisms to guarantee accountability throughout the AI system’s lifecycle need to be implemented to ensure responsible and ethical use. This includes conducting audits to assess the system’s algorithms, data, and design processes as well as reporting to minimise negative impacts of AI systems. In situations where trade-offs are necessary, reasoned decisions will need to be made and the rationale behind them documented. Additionally, mechanisms should be available for employees to seek redress in the event of unjust adverse impacts.
The ethical principles align themselves well with our pillars of engagement: employee voice, compelling leadership, organisational integrity, engaging managers, health and wellbeing, and realising potential. Therefore, any organisation with successful engagement strategies in place already has a head start when it comes to implementing AI ethically and possibly improving employee engagement further.
AI and Employee Engagement: Making it a Reality
AI has the potential to revolutionise employee engagement, but its adoption and implementation should be approached with caution. Privacy concerns, biases, and effectiveness are important factors to consider when integrating AI into the workplace.
To successfully leverage AI for employee engagement, organisations should follow these key steps:
- Identify Key Challenges: Understand the specific employee engagement challenges faced by the organisation and how AI can address them.
- Evaluate AI Solutions: Thoroughly evaluate AI solutions that align with the organisation’s goals and values. Consider factors such as privacy, transparency, and ethical implications.
- Involve Employees: Engage employees in the decision-making process and actively seek their input and feedback on the use of AI in the workplace.
- Provide Training and Support: Ensure employees are equipped with the necessary skills to work effectively with AI technologies. Offer training programs and ongoing support to foster a culture of continuous learning.
- Monitor and Evaluate: Regularly monitor the impact of AI on employee engagement and make adjustments as needed. Collect feedback from employees to gain insights into their experiences and make improvements where necessary.
By following these steps, organisations can successfully harness the power of AI to revolutionise employee engagement and create a work environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered.
Conclusion
AI holds unparalleled potential to revolutionise employee engagement and drive organisational success. It can be used to create a work environment that fosters employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. However, successful integration requires careful consideration of ethical implications, proactive communication, and a commitment to responsible AI use. As organisations embrace the future of AI, they have the opportunity to unlock the full potential of their workforce and create a culture of engagement, innovation, and growth.
To improve employee engagement through powerful employee insights, our bespoke employee engagement surveys will highlight strengths and areas for improvement. Our range of staff surveys, including pulse surveys and 360 feedback surveys will give the data required to increase employee engagement. Contact The Survey Initiative today for more information.
References:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/falonfatemi/2019/07/05/how-ai-can-drive-employee-engagement/
https://engageforsuccess.org/why-is-it-important/