Introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already permeating much of our personal and working lives, but the need to ensure efficient and productive use of AI is holding some companies back from realizing their full potential.
Microsoft Research
Recent research by Microsoft suggested that workers at all levels are still struggling to get the most out of AI tools, although attitudes toward the use of technology at work remain largely positive.
Interview with Colette Stallbaumer
TechRadar (link) spoke with Colette Stallbaumer, general manager for Microsoft 365 and the Future of Work, about the steps companies need to take to fully embrace AI in the workplace.
Relieving the Workload “People are using AI tools at work because they feel overwhelmed and under pressure, and they want some relief,” Stallbaumer says. “It’s still early! Companies and people are on a journey … (but) there are many ideas emerging.”
Microsoft Work Trend Index Data
Stallbaumer notes that the Microsoft Work Trend index found that three-quarters (75 percent) of participants now use AI at work in some way-double the number from six months ago, with the technology helping to boost creativity and free up time to focus on crucial tasks.
Increased use of AI This increase has been fostered by the growing presence of “AI natives” who promote the use of technology in their workplaces, often observed with envy by colleagues who discover how they use AI to save time.
Benefits of DI
Advanced AI users are often more productive, more creative, have better concentration and enjoy their work more, Stallbaumer notes. These users are also more likely to experiment with new tools and systems to understand what works best for their role.
“Once they get a taste and start every day wondering what they can delegate to AI,” he adds, “these are the people who are coming up with ideas and taking them to the top.”
Enthusiasm and Awareness
This enthusiasm is not only coming from young employees; CEOs and leaders are also increasingly recognizing the benefits of AI and conveying this positivity to their employees. These companies are seeing the most success in using AI because, as Stallbaumer says, “it’s about channeling that enthusiasm and energy that employees have for AI into real business value.”
“People talk about having an AI strategy-actually that’s a bit of a mistake,” he adds, “you don’t need an AI strategy, you need a business strategy for AI.”
The Role of Creativity
“Another mistake is that these AI tools limit creativity…. (but) AI is not creative – people are!”
The Future of AI according to Microsoft
Microsoft is in a strong position to continue embracing AI technology in many forms around the world, with its Copilot platform set to become a common presence in the workplace. The company wants its tools to be used to augment work, rather than replace human roles.
Conclusion
Stallbaumer concludes that human skills such as communication, assessment, and creativity are still crucial for companies everywhere, and Microsoft is eager to democratize the use of AI tools as much as possible for now. “We have a great responsibility and a great opportunity … we want these tools to broadly benefit society,” says Stallbaumer, “there is no skill today that AI can do better than we can … you can choose fear or you can choose to engage and learn.”
For more information on how Boosha AI can help your company harness the power of artificial intelligence, contact us at info@boosha.it.