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Chapter 4
Making AI part of everyday work
Chapters
1 The AI journey every business is taking
Learn about AI, how businesses are using it, and what the latest trends show us
2 Understanding AI risks
Common AI risks and legal considerations, plus how to protect your business
3 Developing an implementation roadmap
Step-by-step implementation roadmap for effective AI adoption
4 Making AI part of everyday work
Leadership’s role in AI adoption and how to overcome staff hesitation
5 Measure, iterate and improve
Why AI adoption can never be ‘set and forget’
One of the biggest risks in any AI adoption exercise is whether people actually use it.
The best technology in the world offers no benefit to an organisation where it’s not understood, trusted, or applied in daily work.
For any AI change program to be successful, communication is key. This is often said about workplace transformation programs, but is especially critical with AI. Employees need to understand:
- why AI is being introduced
- how it will support them
- what role they continue to play.
Some may be hesitant to adopt it for fear it will compromise their job security, while others will push back simply because they are reluctant to change. Sharing the intention behind adoption and allowing them to take the journey too will significantly improve the likelihood of success.
Remember, everyday AI users don’t need to be experts in the technology, they just need the right foundations to get started. This includes clear communication, practical training, and encouragement to apply their existing experience in more strategic ways.
“We don’t want to hire new people with AI skills to come in and use this technology. We want to upskill the people we have and help make your job easier.”
Leadership’s role in adoption
Senior leaders are often highly motivated to roll out AI across the organisation, having seen and heard stories of its potential benefits.
The difficulty then lies in turning aspiration into reality. Simply saying “we need to be using AI” is not enough to spearhead an intentional adoption program, nor stem the risks that inevitably emerge from shadow AI use.
Ideally, leaders need to set the tone for how their organisation should approach AI, and engage with employees at various levels to understand where AI would be most effective.
When these discussions are followed by decisive action, thoughtfully planned pilots and role-modelled behaviours, the business is more likely to achieve sustained uptake of AI.
Selecting champions
Leaders can only do so much to promote adoption, and teams will need someone they can turn to in moments of doubt, uncertainty and frustration.
This is where it can be incredibly valuable to select and deploy “adoption champions” within various divisions. This is a common strategy in change management programs, and works especially well with technologies that may be seen as polarising or intrusive.
An effective adoption champion is someone who:
1 Believes in the technology and why it is being implemented
2 Knows how to use the technology
3 Displays empathy and can listen when others share their concerns
4 Is able to engage in basic best practice training.
Champions do not need to be technical specialists, but they do need to understand how to get the most out of the technology. For example, generative AI relies on quality prompts to produce quality outcomes.
Teaching new users how to properly “talk to” AI would be a very effective skill for an adoption champion.
Overcoming staff hesitation
Even when you have consistent communication, strong leadership and adoption champions, managing an AI rollout is not a set-and-forget activity.
At the start of the roll out, people need to know:
- What’s changing and why
- Who is involved
- How it will affect them
- What the process should look like
- Where to find support.
As the roll out progresses, they need ongoing engagement to address concerns and help them integrate the new way of working into their daily routine. It can also be useful to have regular communication to share team wins, discuss shared challenges, and highlight new opportunities.
This approach is key to avoiding escalating tension, conflict or secret workarounds.
When everyone feels as though they are working on and part of the adoption together, they are more likely to embrace change and contribute to its success.
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Make AI work for your business
Turn your AI ambitions into action. Download our AI adoption checklist to help your business identify opportunities, assess readiness and plan for successful AI implementation.
Ready to take the next step in your AI journey?
Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to maximise the value of existing initiatives, RSM can help. Our advisers can work with you to identify opportunities, navigate risks and develop a practical AI strategy aligned with your business goals.
Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can support your AI journey.
Ready to take the next step in your AI journey?
Whether you're just starting to explore AI or looking to maximise the value of existing initiatives, RSM can help. Our advisers can work with you to identify opportunities, navigate risks and develop a practical AI strategy aligned with your business goals.
Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can support your AI journey.
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