What employees want: Not everyone feels ready to flow with AI at the workplace

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere now. It’s safe to say that organizations have either fully adopted or are in the process of fully adopting AI in almost every department. But is every department of these organizations welcoming AI with open arms? Is every employee comfortable with AI integration in their organizations?

GenAI in HR processes

A joint report by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) says the integration of generative AI in HR functions is creating bionic organizations that blend human creativity with technological precision. In fact, 45% of Indian companies have already implemented or are piloting GenAI in their HR processes, with 93% reporting improved process efficiency and productivity as one of the key benefits.

Read more: Bridging the AI cybersecurity skills gap: The urgent need to upskill India’s workforce to handle AI-driven security threats

Finally, the report highlights the growing use of predictive analytics to enhance decision-making across the HR value chain with a third of CXOs surveyed sharing their organization has centralized workforce planning with analytics incorporated.

AI pushing digital transformation

As per F5’s 2024 Digital Enterprise Maturity Index, enterprises are pushing ahead on digital transformation efforts with 29% of companies (called “doers”) now leading, up from 4% last year. 82% of “doers” operate hybrid applications, indicating advanced digital readiness and effective AI integration.

Generative AI is fundamentally changing digital operations, significantly enhancing automation and data management. In fact, 97% of digitally mature organizations have adopted or plan to adopt Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) practices, essential for scaling AI-driven operations and maintaining performance. Also, with the increasing reliance on AI, 92% of mature organizations have adopted zero trust principles, reflecting a higher confidence level in their security frameworks.

Organizations whose automation maturity is “automated” saw the biggest benefits: 53% enjoy greater consistency, 71% saw cost savings, and 80% report greater operational efficiencies. Advanced organizations manage an average of 468 APIs, showcasing a sophisticated digital infrastructure prepared for AI integration.

Departments differ

Different departments of organizations are responding in different ways as AI gets integrated into them. For example, 60% of respondents to ISACA’s recent 2024 AI Pulse Poll believe AI will have a positive impact on audit/assurance in the next year—the highest number compared to other domains like risk, compliance, security, IT strategy/governance, and privacy.

 AI has certainly made things uncertain in the IT workplace though. 39% believe that AI will have a negative impact on privacy as a professional domain in the next year. Additionally, 20% of respondents indicate they are not at all confident in their ability to detect AI-powered misinformation; the same percentage echoed this lack of confidence in their organizations’ abilities. When asked who is responsible for overseeing the usage of AI within their organization, one in five say they are not sure.

However, with 23% of respondents saying their organization is considering increasing those AI jobs and 5% saying they will need AI training within two years to help them retain their roles or advance their careers, education and training will be essential for professionals to keep pace.  

“As AI continues to impact professions across many fields in a rapid and unprecedented way, those from auditors and cybersecurity managers, to risk analysts and privacy professionals will need to understand the technology, as well as its applications and impact as it pertains to their work,” said Shannon Donahue, ISACA Chief Content and Publishing Officer. “Digital trust professionals at all career stages should explore the range of tools at their disposal to stay informed and relevant when it comes to emerging technologies, to both expand their knowledge and futureproof their careers.”

Read more: Harnessing the power of AI: Preparing today’s workforce for tomorrow’s challenges

Generative AI is transforming quality engineering, HR, and digital operations, accelerating productivity and automation. While AI fluency is in high demand, upskilling remains crucial. As businesses navigate AI integration, addressing security concerns and knowledge gaps will be essential. Organizations that invest in AI-driven tools and training will stay competitive in this evolving landscape. Still, there are kinks that need to be worked out. Not all employees feel ready to flow with AI at the workplace.