Using AI in Your Work Grind

Alison Taylor

Ethical AI Champion

Learn how to navigate AI surveillance, privacy risks, and ethical tech use in today's hybrid working world. Develop critical thinking with Alison Taylor, and enhance human skills for career resilience. Future-proof your career amidst life's messiness!

AI Strategy and Governance

Using AI in Your Work Grind

10 mins 40 secs

Key learning objectives:

Understand AI surveillance risks in the workplace
Understand how to develop and apply critical thinking skills with AI tools
Outline the importance of enhancing communication, empathy, and leadership skills

Overview:

Step into the evolving world of AI in the workplace with Alison Taylor. Navigating AI surveillance is crucial for today’s hybrid workers. Learn to identify if you’re being tracked, develop critical thinking, and enhance your human skills. Alison highlights the risks and ethical concerns, encouraging learners to use AI responsibly and share their findings. Get ready to tackle the messiness of life with practical steps and stay ahead in the digital era.

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Summary

What are the risks of AI surveillance in the workplace?

AI and tracking tools are increasingly used to monitor employee productivity, particularly since the pandemic. These tools can invade privacy, even at home. For instance, Wells Fargo fired employees for using mouse jigglers to fake activity. This highlights significant privacy concerns and the risks of using such methods to avoid surveillance.

How can I identify if I'm being monitored at work?

To determine if you’re being monitored, review your employment contract and company policies. Ask your manager or HR about any tracking practices. If they refuse to disclose this information, it’s a red flag. Understand how your performance is measured—whether on meaningful metrics or trivial ones. Different regulations apply in different countries, so be aware of your specific situation.

What is the impact of AI on the working world?

AI has transformed the workplace by offering tools that can enhance productivity but also pose privacy risks. The pandemic accelerated the use of AI as more people worked from home. While AI can boost productivity, with 69% of workers using generative AI reporting gains, it’s crucial that these tools are useful and explained clearly. Employees have a role in guiding the valuable use of these tools in their organisations.

How can I develop and apply critical thinking skills with AI tools?

Developing critical thinking starts with understanding that humans interpret the world subjectively. Be cautious with tools like ChatGPT and ensure sources can be verified. Use tools like Perplexity.ai for research, which returns results with sources, and Julius.ai for coding assistance that allows testing and modification. Even non-programmers can benefit from learning problem decomposition. Test AI tools thoroughly before deploying them, as seen with McDonald's AI ordering mishaps.

How can I prepare for the AI era?

Understand employer tracking: Know your privacy rights and review your employment contract for tracking policies. Consult company policies and ask HR about tracking practices
Use AI tools effectively: Learn and share AI tool uses with your team to benefit collectively. Avoid using AI as a hidden shortcut, as this can harm your career and organisation
Develop confidence with tech: Identify and solve ethical issues, and be a responsible user of technology. Being confident with tech will be advantageous in any role
Critical thinking and analysis: Always verify sources and question your assumptions. Engage with AI tools critically and ensure they complement your problem-solving skills
Enhance human skills: Focus on communication, empathy, leadership, and other interpersonal skills that AI can't replicate. Assess your strengths and weaknesses and work on improvement

How can I enhance my communication, empathy, and leadership skills?

Start by recognising areas where AI cannot replace human skills, such as verbal communication, empathy, and active listening. Assess your strengths and weaknesses in these areas and take steps to improve. For instance, if you’re strong in active listening but weak in group communication, work on becoming a more effective speaker. These skills will differentiate you and help you unlock new potential in your career.

The opinions and viewpoints expressed in this video are those of the creator and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations.

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Alison Taylor

Alison Taylor is a professor at NYU Stern School of Business and the Executive Director of Ethical Systems, a research collaboration focused on ethical organizational culture. She has spent the last two decades consulting multinational companies on risk, anti-corruption, sustainability, human rights, culture and behavior, stakeholder engagement, ESG, and ethics and compliance. She is also a senior advisor at sustainability non-profit BSR, a member of the Board at Venture ESG, and a sustainability advisor at Zai Lab, KKR and Pictet Group. Prior to joining Ethical Systems, she was managing director at Business for Social Responsibility, running the sustainability management, futures and supply chain practices. Alison has also worked at Transparency International, Control Risks, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Fordham Law School. She is a 2023-24 member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Good Governance, and is the author of 'Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World.'

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