AI in the workplace: Opportunity or obstacle?

Madeline Curtis
Sep 19
7 min read

Did you know over 80% of students at Middlebury College use generative AI for their coursework? Middlebury isn’t alone. High School and College students all over the world are turning to AI (artificial intelligence) to help with their course loads. Beyond education, the use of AI is skyrocketing in everyday life. An estimated 378 million people worldwide are using AI of some sort. These statistics highlight a growing reality: artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword, but a tool used in all aspects of day-to-day life, including the workplace.

From automating repetitive tasks to assisting in creative problem-solving, AI has already begun to transform how we work. In fact, in one Gallup study over a third of respondents report that their companies have already started using AI in day-to-day functions. When it comes to the use of AI in the workplace, it’s not a question of if but when. This more digital and innovative shift raises many exciting opportunities, as well as many concerns about the future of jobs in an AI-enhanced world. To dive into these questions and concerns, we first look at how AI is–and will be–used in the workplace.

How is AI used?

Over the next three years, 92 percent of companies plan to increase their AI investments. So, how do these companies plan to use AI? How is AI being used today? Let’s first look at how employees on the ground level are using it. A recent Gallup workplace study shows that most employees typically use AI for idea generation and task automation. Those menial, repetitive tasks that drain our energy and creativity are being successfully outsourced to AI, while projects that need more creativity and innovation are handled by the person.

While employees are using AI namely to save time with task automation, workplace leaders tend to use AI for different workday aspects. Studies show workplace management uses AI largely to consolidate information or data. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, is used by management to quickly analyze and summarize information received.

While both employees and management are currently using AI, workplace leaders use AI more frequently. It’s estimated around 46% of leaders indicate they use AI in their roles, while 36% of individual employees indicate the same. No matter who you are or what role you play, AI is becoming a prevalent force in the workplace. The emergence and predicted increase of AI leads many to wonder what the future of the workplace looks like. Let’s dive into the many pros and cons that are often discussed when reflecting on AI in the workplace.

Pros of AI

Potential for an increase in productivity

One of the most widely recognized benefits of AI in the workplace is the ability to increase efficiency and productivity. AI tools free employees to focus on higher-value and more strategic initiatives by automating repetitive tasks—very beneficial for employees on the ground floor, as well as the organization as a whole. In fact, McKinsey research reports that, in the long-term, AI could produce $4.4 trillion in added productivity growth potential worldwide, spelling a major transformation for many organizations.

More efficient data analysis and use

Data is one of the most valuable assets in an organization, but the sheer amount of volume can be overwhelming. AI can be a powerful tool in analyzing, interpreting, and summarizing data for organizations. What’s more, AI can do so with lightning-speed efficiency. As IBM notes, AI-driven analysis allows companies to uncover trends, insights, and patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed. That could mean smarter decision-making and more efficient operations.

Increased employee retention and growth

Recent research completed by the IBM Institute for Business Value found that organizations currently using AI at an operational level outperformed their peers by 44% when it came to metrics such as employee retention and revenue growth. By taking over repetitive and often time-consuming tasks, AI allows employees to focus their time and talents on more meaningful and satiating work–work that hones their skills and fuels their purpose. That could ultimately foster a stronger workforce that’s more excited by their work.

Cons of AI

Lack of employee preparedness

One of the biggest obstacles many employees cite in relation to AI in the workplace is lack of preparedness. The truth is, very few employees feel confident in using AI in their day-to-day roles. As Gallup reports, only 6% of employees feel very comfortable using AI at the moment. This lack of preparedness could very well be due to the wide adoption gap as 81% of reported workers are considered non-AI users. Without proper training and support, AI could be perceived as more of a nuisance than a solution.

Long-term yield—not a short-term Fix

AI is not a short-term solution or ‘quick fix’. It requires time, patience, and strategy to deliver meaningful results. It’s also hard to accurately predict what returns your investment in AI could be, largely due to its relative newness in the workplace. In fact, only 1% of polled companies have fully integrated AI into their daily workflow and can report a related uptick in business. Does this mean AI is a wasted investment? No, not necessarily. What it does mean is that AI adoption is more of a long-term investment than an immediate payoff. Workplace leaders will need to set realistic expectations and plan for gradual integration.

Fear of fewer jobs

AI’s rise has sparked fear in many workers about the future of the workplace who wrestle with questions like:

“Will AI completely replace all human roles in organizations?”
“If a computer can do any job, how can I provide for myself and my family in the future?”
“Is AI really going to steal our jobs?”

Underscoring that point, recent Pew Research found that about a third of workers believe AI use will lead to fewer jobs and opportunities for them in the long run. While the software, finance, and customer support industries could potentially be hit hardest by AI integration, it’s important to keep in mind that AI also has the potential to increase the number of jobs available. The World Economic Forum reports AI could actually create 78 million more jobs than were available in the pre-AI era of work. In short, AI integration could cause a shift in career opportunity, rather than a loss.

While there are certainly pros and cons with the emergence of AI in the workplace, it’s important to note that as of today there is very little systemic evidence to support its benefit to companies or its negative effects on the labor force.

What we can say for certain is this: AI is a very real, very prevalent force making its way into the world and the workplace. Workplace leaders who invest time in understanding its impact and potential uses set themselves up for greater success in the modern workplace. With that in mind, we’ve crafted tips for balancing the integration of AI in the workplace.

6 Tips for balancing the integration of AI in the workplace

Establish a clear plan for integration and usage

If you’re looking to integrate AI of any kind into your workspace, the best way to do so is to establish a clear plan. How will it be integrated into daily operations, and what role will it play in decision-making? How quickly can employees expect this integration to begin and how can they prepare? A clear plan prevents confusion, aligns expectations across teams, and ensures that AI becomes a tool for progress rather than a source of disruption.

Consider providing training

Even the most advanced tools are only as effective as those who use them. As we’ve seen, very few employees feel ready or comfortable using AI. Don’t set your employees up for frustration and failure by integrating AI into the workspace without training your teams. To ease discomfort and maximize effectiveness, leaders should provide accessible training sessions or hands-on learning opportunities, as well as ongoing support. When employees understand AI’s potential and limitations, they’re more likely to use it with confidence and creativity. Devise a plan of support and education in order to equip your team with the necessary help to effectively utilize AI.

Assess current capabilities and choose the right tools

AI can be used for a multitude of purposes in the workplace. From data analysis to customer service, task automation to idea generation, AI can provide assistance in almost every aspect of today’s workspace. If your company is exploring AI integration, take a moment to familiarize yourself with what AI can provide for your organization. Maybe you’re simply looking to revamp your customer service. Or, maybe you want to restructure your team’s collaboration efforts. Decide how AI will work best for you and your organization. Once you discover what areas you want to integrate AI into, it’s time to choose the right tools. Remember, the right tool should feel like an extension of your team, not a replacement.

Start small, then test and scale

Integrating AI doesn’t have to happen overnight. In fact, trying to do too much too fast will likely backfire, disrupting the very workspace you’re hoping to improve. Instead, try starting out small. Aim to introduce AI in one or two areas, then monitor how it performs and gather feedback. Once you have a good understanding of its performance in the workplace, adjust as needed. Once the process proves effective, you can scale its use across more areas of the organization. This incremental approach reduces risk while ensuring AI truly adds value. It also allows time for employees to gain comfort and confidence while using it.

Mind AI’s limitations

AI is powerful and its capabilities have increased profoundly in the last few years alone. However, it’s not magic. Like any useful tool, it has limitations. It works best when it’s applied to specific tasks and is definitely not a “one size fits all.” Workplace leadership should recognize and respect AI’s limitations. While AI can streamline many processes, it can also produce errors. AI can overlook subtle nuances or simply miss the ‘human element’ necessary to perform certain tasks. Familiarizing yourself with the limitations of the AI tool you plan to use can help set and maintain realistic expectations and avoid any unnecessary errors.

Incorporate human oversight

As with any workplace tool, human oversight is necessary when utilizing artificial intelligence. Perhaps the most important tip we can offer is this: keep humans at the center of all AI use. AI can provide idea generation, task automation, and data processing, but it cannot replace human judgement, empathy, and creativity. Leaders should work to ensure human oversight remains constant by periodically reviewing how your team is using AI, making sure all final decisions are made by humans, and encouraging accountability. AI should serve as a tool to empower employees, not replace them.

As AI begins to shape the modern workplace, its potential is hard to ignore–but so are the challenges it presents. From concerns about employee preparedness to questions of ethics and trust, leaders must balance the pros and cons with care. By following practical strategies like providing employee training and scaling AI integration, workplace leaders can ease the transition and empower their teams to thrive, regardless of any challenges that surface along the way. Organizations that succeed will be those that remember one thing: AI is a helpful tool, but nothing can replace the innovation and creativity of humans.