How to prepare your workforce for the AI revolution

AI use is accelerating across all industries globally, creating mixed feelings among employees – ranging from excitement to fear. To ensure you and your people are ready for the impact of AI, it’s important that leaders start learning and educating now. Over time, and as AI tech is rolled out on a larger scale, this proactive approach will benefit your workforce and your wider organization.

Below, Cielo experts provide actionable steps leaders can take to prepare people in their organizations for the AI revolution.

1. Education & innovation

A crucial step leaders can take today is to invest in continuous education and training programs focused on AI literacy. These programs should ensure employees understand the basics of AI, including what it is, how it works, and its potential impacts on their specific roles and the industry overall. It’s also important to offer development opportunities and encourage a culture of innovation that provides the necessary resources to explore AI’s applications.

When implementing AI tools, introduce them gradually so employees can adapt to new systems incrementally. Also, communicate the benefits and ethics of AI to all employees. This transparency helps to build trust and ensures employees are aware of the positive impacts AI can have on their work and the organization.

– Eric Williams, Senior Vice President – Strategic Accounts

2. Collaboration & experimentation

Creating internal AI learning groups or “practice communities” – where colleagues and thought leaders can discuss AI – can deepen understanding of the technology and increase familiarity.

Pilot projects and "learning by doing" are also beneficial, combining hands-on training with the demonstration effect that AI isn’t replacing people but enhancing them and making them more effective than ever.

As part of ongoing AI literacy, leaders can also create AI mentorship programs and offer personalized incentives for active AI learning. While AI may completely redefine what jobs exist, those who are prepared for it will end up stronger and more relevant to the world of work.

– Chase Wilson, Senior Vice President – Solutions & Product Innovation

3. Reframing the narrative

Currently, most job descriptions are generic and clunky, failing to provide people with clarity around how the role may evolve over time. This results in employees not having a clear understanding of the skills they need to bring and learn.

Leaders and organizations should evolve from "jobs" to "work". Shifting the focus to the actual work being done in a role will clearly highlight the skills one needs to learn to stay relevant, engaged and fulfilled.

– Shailesh Singh, Director – India

4. Leading with optimism

We have yet to determine the full impact of generative AI on talent acquisition teams. So, while leaders may not be able to tell people exactly how to prepare for AI entering their workforce, they can set a positive example and guide employees by leading with curiosity and optimism. Initially, we might see jobs "replaced" by AI, but as our advancements increase, so will the overall demand for services. This means that even though AI will do certain components of the job, the administration and supervision of AI will benefit from human expertise and, at scale, create new jobs. The individuals prepared for this change, who understand the benefit of infusing their workforce with AI, will come out on top.

– Rebecca Volpano, Vice President – Product Management

It’s inevitable that the rapid rise of this new technology will create some uncertainty among employees, who won’t know how to prepare for AI and the changes it’s driving. However, open, educational and collaborative leadership can calm concerns, empowering people to not only make the most of the enormous potential of this transformative technology, but also grow and thrive in their future careers.