Over a third of British employers believe artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to increased productivity in the workplace, with 35 percent citing productivity gains as the most significant advantage of adopting AI, according to research.
The study, commissioned by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) and conducted by YouGov, also found that 12 percent believe AI would provide a competitive edge, while 11 percent said it would increase workplace knowledge.
An additional 11 percent thought AI would enable more work to be done with fewer employees. However, another 11 percent saw no clear benefit from the technology.
Productivity boost
Niall Mackenzie, Chief Executive of Acas, noted the overall optimism among employers about the potential of AI to boost productivity.
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“Used responsibly, AI has the potential to empower workers and support the delivery of different workplace tasks,” Mackenzie said. “Businesses should be proactive in having early discussions about AI with staff, trade unions and other worker representatives to understand the potential implications and ensure its adoption is well-informed. A good clear policy will help businesses stay safe, transparent and reassure staff that they are valued.”
Early engagement and policy development
Acas is advising employers to engage staff at an early stage when introducing AI into the workplace, underlining the importance of consulting with employees and their representatives – particularly where the use of AI could lead to changes in terms and conditions of employment.
Clear policies on AI use should be developed, with transparency around how the technology will be integrated into job roles. Acas suggests that highlighting the ways AI can support and improve job functions will help to reassure employees. It also warns that human oversight remains necessary, particularly given that AI outputs may contain errors, bias or inappropriate tone.
The need for accuracy checks on AI-generated content remains, and the use of AI should be disclosed where appropriate. In some cases, employees may need training to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.
Data protection and privacy concerns remain key
With increased AI adoption, organisations are expected to align AI usage with existing data privacy and IT policies. Acas points out that employees must take care when using public AI tools, as entering sensitive or personal data into these systems could result in unintentional data exposure. It recommends consulting IT teams for guidance on approved platforms and reiterates that any use of AI must comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Employers are advised to ensure that all staff are aware of the company’s data handling expectations and understand how AI fits within the wider privacy framework, to properly manage associated with AI in relation to transparency and accountability.
