“Are we working for AI at this point or is AI working for us?”
Context
The rapid rollout of artificial intelligence tools across workplaces is prompting new questions about control, productivity and employee experience, as organisations integrate automation into everyday tasks.
Maxine Carrington, chief people officer at Northwell Health, a US-based healthcare provider and one of the largest employers in New York State, raised the issue during a recent discussion in New York among HR leaders on the future of AI at work. Her comment came as organisations continue to invest heavily in automation while trying to define the role of employees alongside it.
Meaning
The question reflects growing unease about how AI is being deployed in practice. While technology is often introduced as a tool to support workers, there are concerns that poorly implemented systems can instead dictate how work is carried out.
Carrington’s remark suggests a need to reassess that balance. Rather than employees adapting entirely to systems, organisations may need to ensure that AI is designed to enhance human work, not control it.
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Implications
The issue raises important considerations for HR leaders overseeing AI adoption. Decisions about how tools are implemented, monitored and evaluated will shape whether employees feel empowered or constrained.
If organisations fail to maintain that balance, experts say there is a risk of reduced engagement and trust. But where AI is introduced with clear purpose and human oversight, it has the potential to support productivity while improving the day-to-day experience of work.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
