It seems premature to use the word unconventional at this stage of the AI adventure, the conventional being far from established. However, nascent standards are taking shape, driven by fast developing trends and the din of voices from all areas of life intent upon forcing certain choices as this technology encroaches.
It feels, in some instances, as though choices are being made for us. AI is here to stay; therefore, we will use it. AI will wipe out jobs so figure out how to adapt. The choice to use AI or not, for now is still a choice. Although, that too seems to be changing. Nevertheless, there are some choices, coming soon, that humans will have to make. AI can’t make these choices for us.
It’s About Time
One of the main selling points of artificial intelligence, often the first one rolled out, is that it will free people from certain tasks giving them something that is wholly separate from the amazing output of the technology – time. We will all be freed from the burdensome stuff that sucks up our time. But, freed to do what, exactly? What will we do with this newfound time? How will organizational leaders guide these choices?
Choosing what matters most
In AI conversations, the thing that seems to be talked about most is greater productivity; we will have more time to make more stuff and deliver more services. But do we really need more stuff? Can our systems adjust so quickly to a rapid increase in volumes of products or a tidal wave of more services? Most businesses and markets will face serious constraints from multiple directions, limiting the amount of rapid growth the system can allow or sustain.
Perhaps the first unconventional choice is to not focus on AI to super charge productivity but instead seriously explore how this innovative technology might promote better outcomes for humans. If we suddenly have more available time, we could build stronger relationships which might lead to greater team chemistry, stronger collaboration, and a level of creativity we’ve never experienced.
Such a choice would allow us to invest this brand-new time we’ve discovered into an expanded concept of people development and the wellbeing of every team member. Imagine having a team of individuals each one thriving holistically – at home, at work, in the community – all choosing to engage and contribute because they are less stressed, more excited about the future, and generally feel like they are a part of something special.
Today, employee engagement is miserably low and has been for 30 years. Key demographics are missing from the workforce and show no interest in reengaging. Work related stress is high and getting higher. Workers and employers seem more suspicious of each other than ever before. And the effects of these symptoms are mounting. Making more stuff is not going to change this dynamic.
Choose to See AI differently
Could AI help reverse the deteriorating rate of engagement? Maybe, if we can see past the parts that have a lock on people’s attention. Certainly, the tools, the capabilities, and the possibilities AI offers are great, but its potential for organizations to build a different kind of workplace culture is far longer lasting.
What if AI is a once in a lifetime opportunity to recenter our attention, an opening allowing us to make a much-needed course correction? AI has the capacity to augment human capability. If we choose to see it as such. AI seen from this perspective changes the conversation. It promises to offer intriguing solutions to vexing problems by fixing some foundational ills.
Instead of choosing to pursue artificial intelligence for greater productivity, maybe we choose the unconventional; to make AI about people. To improve organizational culture that leads to more stable workforces. Maybe we will choose to produce enough high-quality stuff but not so much that it causes damage to other parts of our vital systems. Maybe we choose to unlock greater levels of innovation and creativity by focusing on the human aspects that can do our world some good. Along the way we might even influence what eventually becomes conventional wisdom in a technology driven world.
Image from Microsoft 365
The Optimized People Development System 
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