- Fragmented tools cost workers 51 days a year, and artificial intelligence doesn’t necessarily help
- Companies need to provide employees with clearer guidance and application options
- Failed policies lead to shadow AI use among eager workers
New research has claimed that the biggest problem with AI in the workplace isn’t the technology, the chips or the data centers – it’s actually the people using it.
A new WalkMe report claims that employees are said to lose 51 days a year on average due to technology friction caused by poor tools, poor user experiences and other system problems – the equivalent of 7.9 hours per week, or about one working day.
The problem has also worsened since last year despite most companies now investing in AI to varying degrees, but instead of criticizing AI for not dealing with current inefficiencies, WalkMe says people just need to reframe how they see the technology.
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AI’s biggest problem is the human element
The report describes how artificial intelligence’s biggest problems are a lack of skills and poor integration. Companies are also failing to keep track of AI internally, with failing governance, policies and procedures causing those workers willing to experiment to go out and use unapproved (shadow) AI.
With 88% of managers confident that their employees have the right tools for the job and only 21% of employees agreeing, there is a clear disconnect at the organizational level.
“Technology will continue to improve,” wrote CEO Dan Adika. “What doesn’t get better by itself is the human side: the trust gap, the government divide, the question of who acts, when and with what safeguards.”
Looking ahead, WalkMe says investment doesn’t equate to impact, and simply plowing more money into more tools won’t work. To close the gap, companies need to push for adoption before introducing even more tools, actually embed AI into workflows to address existing technology friction, and provide clear guidance to employees.
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