- Future of Work experts say AI will have to radically change work before it can help workers.
- Ravin Jesudasan told BI in Davos that technology is not a magic pill for productivity.
- He said leaders must „redesign work” before AI can make workers more productive.
AI may not be the magic boost to productivity that CEOs want, says an expert on the future of work.
Speaking to Business Insider in Davos, Ravin Jesudasan, global head of transformation services at consulting firm Mercer, said AI isn't going to transform the workplace overnight.
While Jesudasan believes that artificial intelligence will lead to productivity gains, he said that „magically, people become more productive by sticking to this technology.” Instead, he said, incorporating technology takes a lot of effort to „redesign work and everything around it to get some gains.”
„I think we're going to see a little bit of a shock in terms of companies that think they can lead the technology and let it go, versus those that step back and say, 'Rethink the work and let me really engage.'” The workforce,'' he said.
For CEOs and workers alike, the big promise the AI boom is creating is increased productivity.
Business leaders quickly embraced technology's potential for productivity gains and cost reductions, even at the expense of workers.
At the same time, employees found ways to use technology to hack their daily lives. With or without permission, workers have long been using AI tools like ChatGPT to do more work.
However, despite the excitement and hype, companies have been relatively slow to integrate the technology. Many, including AT&T and Deloitte, have introduced their own GPT-supported tools to help workers increase their productivity.
Technology can be revolutionary for workers if leaders integrate it properly, Jesudasan said.
„Many of our leaders don't have the right mindset to redesign work with humanity as opposed to looking for the next dollar-making opportunity,” he said.