AI shouldn’t be monitoring employees’ time – it should be freeing it up
Spurred on by visions of productivity gains and streamlined workflows, employers worldwide have quickly brought AI technology into the fold, planting it into the foundations of business operations.
But amidst the AI gold rush, some firms have got the wrong end of the stick. In a bid to improve productivity, they’ve been turning to employee monitoring tools. Like something straight out of 1984, these tools scrutinise employee activity – exposing so-called underperformers and tolling up time “wasted” by employees.
It’s a sham. The corporate world’s twisted love affair with this virtual Big Brother is actually putting the real potential of AI on the line. It’s trampling trust, motivation, and enjoyment into the dirt – and with these, productivity.
Instead, AI should be used to automate and augment menial and repetitive tasks and speed up others, freeing up time, resources, and neurons for professional development – and some relaxation after a good day’s work.
AI must hand time back to employees – not track their time on the loo.
Let’s look at some facts. Studies have shown monitoring to negatively impact staff mental health, with increased levels of stress and tension (American Psychological Association), leading to reduced productivity, results, and skill attainment (PsycNet). It also impacts hiring and talent retention, with over 63% of employees citing tracking software as a reason to quit (Raconteur).
So why are so many executives and HR departments reaching for these monitoring tools? After all, employee monitoring is just one AI use case for the workplace. And other AI-powered tools, designed to support rather than micro-manage employees, have far more potential to promote productivity.
AI’s versatility means it can be implemented across almost any department or function. IT? Check. Marketing? Absolutely. Employee replication? We do that. From automating HR queries to using AI to design your social media strategy, AI’s use cases are practically infinite.
It’s time executives had a reality check and mustered some imagination: instead of jumping for the dystopian Darth Vadar of AI uses, I want to see employers jumping on AI’s potential to transform the workplace to a more efficient, productive, happier, and less stressful environment.
For example, by automating time-hungry tasks, like inbox management or data collection and compilation, AI can help to lighten workloads and free up time that can be spent on more complex and rewarding tasks. It’ll give employees a break from mundane or monotonous responsibilities that leave staff disengaged and innovation stifled.
At the other end, complex and high-skill tasks that can’t easily be automated will benefit from AI-powered augmentation. Tools are already available to enhance employees’ talents, skills, and abilities by lending them a helping hand across a huge number and diversity of tasks. Streamlining operational processes will ensure these complex and resource-intensive tasks are completed sooner.
Studies estimate that the full and effective adoption of AI could shave off nearly a quarter of private-sector workforce time in the UK alone. This is a huge opportunity – not to dump another 25% increase in workload on employees, but to focus on professional development.
As technology develops rapidly, upskilling and reskilling has never been more important. And it’s convenient – and ironic – that the same technology that’s demanding the skills could free up the time needed to learn them.
But perhaps the greatest benefit of AI in the workplace should be a revolution in work/life balance. Employers are so focussed on the integration of AI in corporate processes that they’ve overlooked its potential to transform life outside of work.
AI is now providing the opportunity to reduce hours worked without reducing productivity – as well as to manage workloads and organise and prepare materials and communication outside of working hours. This could yield the greatest reduction in workplace stress and fatigue since office life began.
AI can – and will – transform the way we work. But how it does so is yet to be seen. We can go down the 1984 route, or we can shoot for sunny uplands.
Businesses have a responsibility to ensure that we take the latter path. As firms draw up their digital transformation blueprints, they must resist the Big Brother urge, and instead see AI as a tool for revolutionising employee satisfaction and happiness. It’s in the interests of employees, and business.
Dan Thomson is CEO and Founder of Sensay, a tech start-up that enables digital replication of employees to drive efficiency and productivity gains and improve work-life balance. A serial entrepreneur, he has a track record of launching, scaling, and exiting businesses across various sectors.
