The journey of understanding abstract concepts mirrors the challenges we face with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Abstract ideas, like democracy or freedom, require a relatable reference point for comprehension.
This need for familiarity and context is crucial when diving into the complex and intangible realm of AI.
Abstract Concepts and Their Familiarity
Democracy and freedom, though intangible, significantly influence our lives. Their comprehension evolved over time, requiring a point of reference for connection.
Similarly, AI, a blend of technology and abstract concepts, is reshaping our work reality. Tasks once human-performed now coexist with AI, elevating our roles into managerial and collaborative positions.
Yes , we can not really grasp what it is , but yet have a tangible influence on our day to day.
The Current Perception of AI
Our understanding of AI, however, is confined by its portrayal as a productivity tool.
This limited view obstructs our capacity to unleash the complete spectrum of AI’s capabilities. To transcend these confines, a fresh perspective is needed.
AI as a Non-Human Employee
The suggestion is to view AI as a non-human employee, acknowledging its differences but emphasizing the parallels that foster connection.
This narrative paves the way to unravel the abstract nature of AI and comprehend its implications.
Why Consider AI as an Employee?
Focusing on similarities becomes the catalyst for breaking down AI’s abstract concept. The idea is not just to recognize AI as a tool but to see it as a collaborative partner, influencing and being influenced by our work dynamics.
Risks and Challenges Working Alongside AI
Risks
Dealing with the abstract concept of AI, without providing a relatable reference, puts our understanding in the hands of those introducing it.
AI is a new concept that we are currently overlooking, and its impact on our human workforce, if not addressed, will hinder organizational growth.
One of the primary risks is the potential erosion of human creative thinking, a crucial gift that people bring to work. This creative thinking is essential for innovation and progress.
Challenges
One of the primary challenges we face is our own limited perspective and our struggle to expand our minds beyond familiar boundaries.
The remedy to this lies in acknowledging these challenges and becoming aware of our limitations.
AI is not just a piece of technology; it’s an entity that generates thoughts, demanding a level of engagement that we haven’t encountered before.
To overcome this challenge, we propose a new approach: viewing AI as a non-human employee.
This perspective shift opens doors to a more comprehensive understanding, fostering collaboration and effective utilization of AI in our work environment.
By treating AI as a valued team member, we can harness its potential and navigate the evolving landscape of technology with a broader and more adaptive mindset.
While AI lacks certain human aspects, such as taking a day off or engaging in casual conversation about weekend activities, it shares a common goal with us: shaping our work reality.
Just like our human counterparts, AI strives to succeed in assigned tasks and provides unique insights on what needs to be done and how to achieve it.
This common purpose forms the basis for effective collaboration, allowing us to work seamlessly alongside our AI team members.
Drawing Pointers to Familiar Information
When grappling with abstract concepts, familiarity aids comprehension. Viewing AI as a non-human employee provides a bridge—a connection point to our own employee perspective.
This perspective enables us to train, challenge, and collaborate with AI more effectively.
Advantages of Treating AI as a Non-Human Employee
To bring this perspective to life, I’ll share one of my initial simple tips: giving our AI tool a human name. From: Jonathan to David does not really matter but something very comm that people can use.
This straightforward step links the tool’s functionalities with human expectations, making AI more relatable.
Here are the benefits we can achieve with this simple yet profound tip:
Fostering Collaboration
Treating AI as a team member encourages a collaborative mindset, moving beyond perceiving it as a mere tool. Now, with a name, we understand and connect that this is not just a tool.
Enhancing Understanding
Personifying AI aids in developing a clearer understanding of its role, limitations, and potential.
Having a name acts as a fiscal, actionable point of reference when drawing charts of processes, activities, and KPIs.
It defines the clear responsibilities of our non-human employee and helps the team understand its role.
Managing Expectations
Recognizing AI’s strengths and weaknesses helps set realistic expectations, preventing overestimation.
Giving it a name detaches it from a set of expectations provided by the vendor and allows both the AI and the team the freedom to design their own expectations collaboratively.
Training and Development
Applying a mindset of continuous learning and improvement to AI’s role ensures its evolution alongside organizational needs.
Providing a name and seeing AI as an employee emphasizes the need for training and development, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Addressing Cultural Shifts
Recognizing AI as an employee aids in navigating cultural shifts, fostering awareness of its impacts on organizational culture.
A vocalized name helps us see its day-to-day impact on our communication and culture, prompting us to address any shifts if needed.
Encouraging Innovation
Viewing AI as a team member opens doors to collaborative innovation, stimulating joint creativity. Assigning a name makes us realize that, like us, AI needs to demonstrate innovation and cannot do it alone; it’s a joint responsibility.
Balancing Human and AI Contributions
Emphasizing a balance between human and AI contributions prevents overreliance on AI for decision-making. Using a name instead of referring to the software creates a balanced point where questioning AI’s recommendations becomes more accessible for the team. This balance is crucial and currently missing in our approach.
How to Work Alongside AI [Practical Example: SalesLoft]
Connecting with AI becomes much more tangible when we give it a human touch.
Let’s dive into a practical example using SalesLoft.
Salesloft offers a few AI driven features. We will use the AI Forecast feature. Instead of just calling it SalesLoft, let’s name it Kevin.
SalesLoft’s Forecast is a powerful tool providing revenue targets for accurate sales forecasts. Now, with Kevin, the AI Forecast feature comes to life.
AI Forecast, powered by machine learning, suggests metrics for accurate revenue forecasts. It estimates the probability of closing a New Business Deal in the current quarter based on historical data.
Kevin learns from your company’s data, considering deal size, deal stage, and days the deal has been open, making it more accurate than standard probability fields.
When Kevin’s probability forecasting appears, it goes beyond just showing the name of the rep; it reflects a collaborative team effort.
My recommendation is to add a custom field capturing the rep’s viewpoint on the deal probability.
By doing this, we create a sense of equality within the team. As Kevin and the rep work together, they develop a mutual understanding. Calling it a “team” – Kevin and the rep – fosters collaboration. In moments of uncertainty, they can provide training to each other by visually sharing their perspectives.
From a manager’s perspective, viewing Kevin as a team member allows for a holistic understanding of team dynamics. It supports collaboration while appreciating the unique contributions of each team member. This approach transforms the way we interact with AI, making it a true teammate in our pursuit of success.
In our example the screen will show : Team Daniel and Kevin and will have the prospective of Daniel point of view showing them one by one using the customized field feature.
You can learn more about SalesLoft AI feature by visiting their community.
In conclusion,
In conclusion, treating AI as a non-human employee through a personalized perspective provides a relatable framework for effective integration.
This paradigm shift promotes collaboration, fostering a workplace environment where humans and AI work together for mutual success.
This mindset allows us to perceive these technologies as entities that require assistance, learning, evolution, maturation, and the ability to impact their surroundings within and beyond the organization.
Such a perspective was not feasible before, and it will significantly enhance our ability to execute on the financial investments made in our AI technologies.
My Thoughts on AI Employee
My goal is to inspire a shift in perspective, encouraging unconventional thinking to unlock AI’s full potential.
Let’s explore these new perspectives and possibilities together, embracing the power of information and challenging conventional norms. When it comes to AI, we don’t know what we don’t know, and we are all in for a ride.
However, there is already something we do know, and by opening our minds to those possibilities, we will better scale and partner up with our AI counterparts.
Need to clarify things onboarding AI into your business? Let’s talk!
