In our latest roundtable with senior leaders across the world of HR and brand, we tackled the not-so-small topic of the impact of AI in the workplace - exploring the role Culture can, and should, play in readying businesses for a future with AI….

Unsurprisingly, opinions on AI vary greatly, from fear to excitement over its potential. If history teaches us anything, it's that this isn’t a new debate. The Industrial Revolution, the rise of computers, and the internet all sparked similar conversations – and as we look back now it is hard to deem any of these advancements as either entirely good or bad.

But we also know, that once an innovation becomes part of mainstream culture, it’s here to stay- and AI is no exception. From tapping on at the tube, to streaming music and ChatGPT, AI is already deeply ingrained into our daily lives and it isn’t going anywhere - so we must proceed, but proceed thoughtfully.

While investing in employees’ AI skills - through training and dedicated resources - is critical, readying your company Culture is equally, if not more, important. Because a strong Culture will help to ensure stability in what will likely become a significant point of tension between those eager to embrace AI and those more reluctant.

At the heart of this, building trust will be key. Both in the technology itself and the benefits it brings, and, perhaps more importantly, among employees. As they embark on this steep learning journey, encouraging a ‘safe-to-try’ environment will be vital for ensuring adoption – inspiring people to experiment with AI, share their experiences, and continuously build their understanding.

There’s AI for everything now - but just because you can use it, doesn’t mean you should. One attendee noted "you can now use AI programmes to fire people, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea."

Because humanity and human connection will always play a vital role. The tricky part lies in deciding where, when and how much of a role it should play - a decision that will likely vary greatly between companies.

That is where Culture comes in... Because your Culture can help you navigate your business' relationship with AI – helping you identify and safeguard the key moments where human connection is essential. For example, while some companies might embrace AI for scheduling performance reviews, would they feel the same about using AI to deliver critical feedback or handle sensitive employee discussions?

Similarly, Culture can guide your approach to AI governance by setting healthy parameters for usage. It could help find optimisation with AI, without tipping into over-utilisation and over-reliance. One example of a company using Culture to guide their AI approach is H&M. They developed a Responsible AI Framework built on principles like transparency, collaboration, and respect for human agency. This framework not only ensures ethical AI use but also fosters trust and alignment within their organisation, creating clear boundaries for where and how AI is applied.

Using your Culture and Values as your compass, begin opening-up conversations about where, when, and how AI should be integrated into your workplace.

From these discussions, you can then work to define clear AI usage principles unique to your business’s values and operations. You can also establish a governance structure that sets healthy parameters for AI usage, balancing innovation with ethical considerations to ensure AI remains a tool that supports - rather than replaces, human ingenuity.

Most of what we have discussed in this summary - and indeed most of the broader societal conversation around AI in the workplace - focuses on a very narrow interpretation of AI: one that views AI as simply a tool.

But if we take a step back and challenge this view, asking,“What do we really mean by AI?” a much richer picture begins to emerge.

And while most - especially in business - view AI as a functional tool...emerging pockets of society suggest AI can play far more varied roles: like a teacher, a friend, a therapist, or even a romantic partner (consider the rise of AI boyfriends).

Younger generations, in particular, are already embracing AI in ways that hint at a deeper connection. They’re building rich virtual worlds and forming a relationship with AI that is more akin to mutual understanding- a two-way relationship built on learning from one another.

This generational difference in mindsets around AI is likely to become even more stark as we navigate the unprecedented reality of having five generations working together for the first time.

As our relationship with AI grows deeper and more complex, and as the technology becomes more ubiquitous, it will inevitably redefine what we value. Human authenticity, creativity, and connection will become increasingly prized—and perhaps more premium.

We’ve seen this happen in other instances: live music remains highly desirable in a world of music streaming, and bespoke tailoring is still treasured in an age of fast fashion so why should the workplace be any different?

Well, one attendee shared an anecdote about their CEO, who sent a company-wide email prefaced with a note: “This email has been written on the go, without a template, apologies in advance for any typos.” What followed was three paragraphs of genuine, unpolished communication directly from the CEO to the staff. The email received overwhelmingly positive feedback, demonstrating the power of authenticity and sincerity in leader communications over perfect formatting and carefully crafted language.

The challenge, with the human touch becoming more premium, however, is that not all brands operate in a premium space...

As the human touch becomes more premium, companies will need to carefully define the right mix of AI and human that works for them. And without clear culturally driven AI guidelines, there’s a risk of brands over-relying on AI and losing the very authenticity and connection that sets them apart.

It was a truly fascinating conversation, and this summary only scratches the surface, but one thing’s for sure—understanding your organisation’s relationship with AI will be an ongoing endeavour, evolving alongside the technology and society’s relationship with it.

At PeopleMade, we help businesses at every stage of growth define and strengthen their employer brands and company culture.