AI Stigma Holds Employees Back
We’ve all been there – sitting at our desks, nervously awaiting feedback from our editor, wondering if they can tell we used ChatGPT to polish our article. Even when it’s just used to refine our writing, a doubt creeps in: will they think we cheated? This worry doesn’t just haunt writers; graphic designers, coders, and even those perfecting PowerPoint presentations feel the same. But is this fear of being judged for using AI even justified? AI adoption in workplaces is undoubtedly a hot topic, with business leaders everywhere exploring its potential. The reality, however, seems to be different. According to the latest Slack Workforce Index by Salesforce, AI adoption among workers in the US barely increased in the last three months, moving up from 32% to just 33%. Compared to the 8% leap seen a year ago, it now seems the enthusiasm might be fading. The report further explores the reason behind the stagnation. Nearly half of global desk workers admit they are uncomfortable telling their manager they’ve used AI. It’s not about rejecting technology but the stigma attached to using AI. Employees worry they will be seen as lazy, incompetent, or a cheat. So, instead of feeling empowered and confident, they’re apprehensive about using AI in the workplace. Source: Slack Report Yet, there’s another side to the story. As per a report by The Washington Post, employees are embracing AI with open arms and witnessing rewards. These “super users” say AI has boosted their productivity and doubled their efficiency in tasks like strategic planning and project management. Some even use it to analyse data sets or screen job candidates, saving hours during their workday. However, it’s not all about optimised workflows. Experts warn that heavy reliance on AI comes with risks. Privacy concerns, inaccuracies, and even potential job losses loom large. And perhaps, most importantly, there’s the looming danger of workers losing touch with the very skills AI is meant to augment. Further, the report highlighted that AI enablement is a factor in job searches. But is this trend particularly strong in India’s competitive job market? In an exclusive interview with AIM, Christina Janzer, ​​SVP of Research and Analytics at Slack, said, “This trend is evident in the Indian market. In fact, according to the report, nine out of 10 desk workers in India consider a prospective employer’s ability to provide and support AI tools crucial in their job decisions. This shows the deep integration of AI into workforce expectations, driven by India’s rapidly evolving digital and tech ecosystem.” India is emerging as a global leader in AI adoption. Notably, 61% of online Indian workers are already leveraging AI – a significant leap compared to the global average of 40%. This enthusiasm, coupled with 80% of Indian workers expressing excitement about AI, underscores the country’s progressive approach. Janzer attributed this to two key factors: India’s strong IT talent pool and a forward-thinking mindset that views AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement. This openness further aligns with India’s digital-first vision, where innovation and experimentation are highly valued. Indian companies are leveraging AI to boost productivity and enhance the employee experience, setting a blueprint for global businesses aiming to unlock AI’s potential. So, this leaves companies to come up with guidelines for the use of AI at work. Companies Who Don’t Like AI With the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, global companies have redefined the use of tech in the workplace. According to a 2023 study by BlackBerry, three out of four organisations worldwide have either considered or implemented bans on GenAI applications at work. The survey, which spanned over 2,000 IT decision-makers from the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia, highlighted growing concerns over the implications of these technologies. Interestingly, 61% of those enforcing such bans see this as long-term or permanent restrictions. For example, in the publishing sector, Medium.com took a stance in May 2024 by barring AI-generated content from its Partner Program. As of May 1, stories generated or edited by AI are ineligible for a paywall, emphasising the platform’s commitment to authenticity. Meanwhile, Wired has declared a complete embargo on publishing AI-generated or AI-edited text. However, they don’t shy away from leveraging AI for brainstorming ideas, generating headlines, or conducting research. Salesforce has gone a step further with a comprehensive Acceptable Use Policy for AI. Their guidelines explicitly prohibit AI use in areas like professional advice and critical decision-making, ensuring ethical boundaries remain intact. Even in journalism, boundaries are being set. The BBC now enforces editorial policies restricting the use of generative AI in news production. AI is permitted only when it serves an illustrative purpose or becomes the subject of the content itself, emphasising human-driven storytelling in factual journalism. At AIM, we stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation. While we embrace AI to enhance and fine-tune our work, we draw the line at allowing it to replace the human essence in content creation or imagery. For us, AI will always remain a tool, not a creator. Indian companies like Zomato, Razorpay, Zepto, and Schbang are guiding employees on how to effectively use AI. Janzer noted that leaders play a pivotal role in accelerating AI adoption by setting clear expectations, creating opportunities for experimentation, and fostering a culture of shared learning. What’s Next? There is uncertainty around the usage of AI in the workplace, but workers look forward to upskilling. The Slack report mentioned that 76% of employees feel an urgency to become an AI expert, but 61% spent less than five hours learning the same, and 30% noted they have had no AI training. This highlights a need for employers to address the issue of bridging the gap in training and clarifying AI guidelines. This is the need of the hour, as current employees and new professionals entering the workforce have a better chance of surviving in a more supportive workplace environment.
For AIM, AI will always remain a tool, not a creator.
According to the latest Slack Workforce Index by Salesforce, AI adoption among workers in the US barely increased in the last three months.
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Vidyashree is enthusiastic about investigative journalism. Now trying to explore how AI solves for all.