We all know that the buzz around AI usually focuses on job replacement. Now, I’m going to be honest with you, I’m a bit done with that narrative. Yes, AI has and will replace some jobs but this is no different from the industrial revolution replacing factory workers or cars phasing out horses. It's time to shift the narrative from AI as a threat to AI as an incredible opportunity for our workplaces.

At The Future Kind, we’re all about AI and human collaboration over human replacement. After all, there are plenty of benefits that each of us can get from introducing AI into our workflows, such as, creating capacity, increasing efficiency, reducing workloads, identifying development opportunities and supporting our wellbeing. Yes please!

In this blog, we’re going to focus on how embracing AI can be a game-changer for your company culture. And, it’s not just about survival; it's about thriving in a world where AI is a tool for empowerment. Let's dive in and uncover the untapped potential of AI in the workplace.

Use case 1: Personalised employee experiences

Imagine a workplace where each employee's experience is tailored to their unique needs, preferences, and aspirations. With AI, this dream can become a reality. AI algorithms can be used to analyse vast amounts of data to create personalised learning and development opportunities for your team. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all training programs. A startup to watch in this space is Mindstone - an AI coach that turns everyday interactions into career-shaping opportunities and quantifiable skills that align with business needs. These same algorithms can also be used to track sentiment in meetings, allowing you to spot inefficiencies and anticipate morale dips. It's like having a workplace fortune teller, predicting the culture crisis before it unfolds. This can help you provide targeted and relevant recommendations for your teams to enhance both their individual and collective experience at work.

Use case 2: Performance tracking and feedback

Tracking performance and providing timely, constructive feedback are key for building high-performing teams. AI-powered performance tracking systems, such as Nyota, provide real-time insights, allowing you to assess progress objectively and identify areas for improvement. This allows feedback to become a continuous process, where managers can provide support and coaching when it's most needed. Say goodbye to traditional, infrequent performance reviews and hello to dynamic feedback loops that fuel growth.

Use case 3: Virtual collaboration and communication

Collaboration lies at the heart of every successful team. AI tools can help you break down geographical barriers and create virtual workspaces that transcend physical limitations. Take Butter, for example. This quirky, virtual collaboration tool tracks participation in meetings. This means that, as a leader, you can ensure everyone gets their moment to speak in your team meetings. But the real magic lies in the data it accumulates over time, offering a backstage pass to your team's dynamics. Use this data to coach the dominators and uplift the quiet geniuses in your team. But wait, there's more! Butter also uses AI to summarise meetings, distilling them into actionable insights, and freeing you from endless back and forth to actually get things done.

Use case 4: Employee engagement

Likert scales, which are often used in employee engagement surveys, can be informative but they have their limitations. The person crafting the survey dictates the topics, potentially missing the real struggles faced by your team. Enter free-text surveys - a goldmine of unfiltered employee sentiments. But, ah, the challenge of synthesising this data! This is where AI swoops in to save the day. Imagine this: AI dissecting mountains of free-text responses, unveiling patterns, trends, and root causes faster than you can say "company culture." No more guessing games. Now you can take action on the real issues that matter. AI tools of this kind are becoming popular in the world of product development and customer experience, with companies like our friends at Hotjar, as well as FreeText and MonkeyLearn, turning customer feedback from a range of channels into actionable insights for product and UX teams. It’s only a matter of time before employee engagement platforms, and other survey providers, follow suit.

Sounds great. But, where to start?

Feeling a tad overwhelmed? Fear not, my friends! Start small by collecting data from your meetings. Your current platform likely has an AI plug-in waiting to be your co-pilot. Dive into summaries, actions, sentiments, and patterns. Build a ritual around reviewing this data, so that you can start introducing small, meaningful changes that'll shape a company culture that you’re really proud of.

So, we've shared our thoughts on the wonders of AI and how it's changing the workplace, but how about we make those wonders a reality for your team? As a culture consultancy, we're sit right at the crossroads where strategy meets performance. We're experts at designing and embedding cultures that empower companies to fulfil their vision. Get in touch with us and let's start crafting your AI-enhanced culture today.