The digital workplace is not a new concept. Employees are well used to a variety of digital tools, devices and services shaping how they work, collaborate, and access and use information. But while there are many benefits to digital workplaces, it’s clear that problems have been created as well, with not enough consideration given to how digital workplaces should work for people.
Burnout, a lack of work-life balance and stress are affecting people’s health, happiness and wellbeing. Employees are less engaged, and the Great Resignation illustrated how the pandemic altered people’s attitudes towards work. Gallup reports that 62% of employees are not engaged, and worse, more than 1 in 10 are “actively disengaged.” This is already concerning, but there are also significant financial consequences for businesses. Low engagement is estimated to be leading to a staggering US$8.9 trillion lost in global GDP. And while it’s not in the headlines anymore, the Great Resignation lives on, with 52% of employees saying they are watching for or actively seeking a new job.
Can AI rescue your digital workplace?
AI and GenAI are often discussed in terms of increasing productivity and deriving insights from vast amounts of information very quickly. While this is true, another incredible revolution is occurring thanks to GenAI’s capabilities: a radical evolution of the digital workplace.
It seems that employees are already welcoming GenAI with open arms. According to the 2024 Work Trend Index from Microsoft and LinkedIn, generative AI has exploded, with 75% of global knowledge workers using it. And it’s not just because it has been provided by their employer; 78% of AI users are bringing their own AI tools to work — a trend called “bring your own AI” (BYOAI). Among small and medium-sized companies, that number jumps to 80%.
Why? Because GenAI is proving to be a true game-changer when it comes to many of the pain points in a digital workplace. In the same Microsoft research cited above, the respondents reported that AI helps them save time (90%), focus on their most important work (85%), be more creative (84%) and, critically, enjoy their work more (83%).
WGenAI is not a panacea for all your digital workplace issues. It needs the right data and context to deliver value. Identify and prioritize the challenges your employees are facing, then decide on the best digital workplace solution.
We need a new lens on GenAI in the workplace
Leaders agree with their employees when it comes to GenAI being a good thing. Microsoft found that 79% of leaders recognize they need to adopt AI to stay competitive, but they are hesitant to act. 59% worry about quantifying the productivity gains of AI, while 60% are concerned they lack a viable plan and vision to implement AI.
Despite this reluctance, the real takeaway is that employees are using GenAI already; management just needs to understand is how to catch up with them.
The risk management and data protection concerns many leaders have about GenAI are real but can’t be addressed or governed if employees feel they have to go it alone with BYOAI. At the same time, leaders are unable to learn and build on that use of GenAI to understand where the most valuable use cases lie. Rather than jump on the productivity bandwagon, leaders need to look to provide GenAI to employees and understand how it can help people work better – with productivity and performance enhancements as a very positive byproduct. Ultimately, GenAI is not about technology or doing more faster; it’s about giving people the tools they need to make the digital workplace work for them.
Four steps to a GenAI-powered digital workplace
- Create consensus and build the right mindset for change.
53% of people who use AI at work worry that using it on important tasks makes them look replaceable. Ironically, 71% of leaders say they’d rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them. Be clear on what your business’ policy is on GenAI, and communicate that clearly to your employees. The top AI power users are 61% more likely to hear from their CEO about GenAI, fostering positive adoption and openness about what works and what can be improved.
- Start providing GenAI capabilities today to minimize unmanaged BYOAI and realize the human and commercial benefits.
Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 delivers a wealth of GenAI capabilities to your employees’ fingertips, embedded in the applications they already use every day. As their personal GenAI assistant, Copilot helps employees with automated prompts, information, analysis and incredibly powerful search and collaboration capabilities. It comes as an add-on service for Microsoft 365 E5, E3 or business licenses, and adopts the same governance and security policies as those already built-in to Microsoft 365.
- Start identifying the problems you want to solve, rather than using AI as an undefined solution.
GenAI is not a panacea for all issues in and of itself. It needs the right data, and enough data with the right queries or requests to deliver value. Start with the challenges your employees are facing, prioritize them, and then look at what digital workplace solution would be the best fit. It’s likely AI could play a big part in that solution, but it may need to be optimized and applications may need to be customized first. To drive real value and ROI, look at what improvements can be made for people vs. productivity or performance. Your technology partner can help with assessments and customization, providing an objective view and the skill sets required, as well as to quickly identify and address high value use cases.
- Remember to build training into your adoption plans.
GenAI isn’t about technology adoption. With Copilot, Microsoft has made that relatively simple. Your people need to learn how to get the most from GenAI, the pitfalls to avoid, how to allow for bias, and so on. Training will help ensure adoption rates are good, but also keep use in line with your governance processes and ensure GenAI is delivering great results across the enterprise. Atos consultants can support your adoption and training at every level, so you get the skilled, productive and happy workforce you want.
Learn more about how Atos and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 are revolutionizing the digital workplace for people and productivity.
Vivek Malviya
Principal Consultant, Digital Workplace Consulting
