How to prepare for the AI-powered future of work

IDC predicts a shift toward 'AI Everywhere,' signaling a new phase in the digital business journey. By 2028, 80% of CIOs will implement changes to leverage AI, automation, and analytics, driving agile, insight-driven enterprises.
This evolution presents both opportunities and risks, requiring organizations to chart their own path toward responsible outcomes. Successful AI integration must be a core part of growth strategy, balancing business goals with human impact.

Tactical AI vs. Strategic AI

The terms tactical AI and strategic AI refer to different levels of decision-making and problem-solving in artificial intelligence, particularly in contexts such as business decision-making.

1. Tactical AI

• Focuses on short-term, immediate decisions and actions
• Deals with specific tasks or problems within a defined, localized context
• Optimizes for efficiency or effectiveness within a short time frame
• Works within constraints or set rules
• Often reactive rather than proactive

2. Strategic AI

• Focuses on long-term planning and overarching goals
• Involves big-picture decision-making across a broader time horizon and often covers multiple interconnected tasks or domains
• Develops plans or policies that guide actions over an extended period, considering future uncertainties and consequences
• Considers broader environmental and situational changes
• Develops and adapts strategies based on predicted trends or patterns
• Often proactive, setting the stage for future tactical decisions

Both types of AI are often used together, where tactical AI executes immediate decisions, while strategic AI informs the overall direction that governs those decisions.

The immediate benefits of AI must be weighed against its long-term effects on the workforce. This calls for a clear understanding of tactical use cases and their advantages while considering their impact on individuals and aligning these with broader strategic objectives over time.

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3 stages to an AI-driven workplace

The InfoBrief outlines a three-stage evolution toward embedding AI into business processes:

Stage 1: AI assistants

In this phase, AI helps with task automation to improve productivity. However, employees must develop new skills, such as effective prompt writing, to get the best results from AI tools.

Stage 2: AI advisors

At this point, AI goes beyond simple task execution, synthesizing information to deliver more sophisticated insights. Human workers will need to learn how to manage multiple data sources and apply critical thinking to shape actionable recommendations.

Stage 3: AI agents

The final stage envisions AI working autonomously to support employees in driving innovation and competitive advantage. Organizations will need "AI orchestrators" who can oversee AI applications and interpret insights, using them to deliver transformational business outcomes.
This journey highlights how AI will increasingly move from supporting basic tasks to becoming a critical tool for innovation and decision-making. To succeed, organizations must be proactive in mapping out their AI strategy.

Preparing for the future - why human expertise matters

One of the study's key findings is that while automation may deliver quick wins in productivity, long-term success lies in rethinking the human roles that interact with AI.

The future workplace will place less emphasis on managerial positions and more on roles that leverage AI for competitive advantage. AI orchestrators, for example, will play a crucial part in ensuring that AI tools are used responsibly and effectively, ensuring data integrity and promoting trust in the technology.

Trust is a vital issue when implementing AI. According to IDC research, 43% of employees do not trust their employers to handle their data responsibly in an AI-driven context, and 28% fear layoffs due to AI adoption.
These concerns underscore the importance of building a strong AI DNA within the organization, focused on ethical AI use and transparency.

Building an AI DNA - Putting people first

To ensure successful AI adoption, organizations need to establish what the IDC InfoBrief calls an "AI DNA"-a framework that aligns AI implementation with organizational culture.
This means fostering a culture of continuous learning and creating clear policies that protect employees and the business from AI misuse. As AI becomes more integrated into workflows, new roles will emerge, and the importance of training and upskilling will only grow.

In fact, 50% of respondents in the InfoBrief's survey indicated they would need additional training to fully benefit from AI.
This is where Unit4's human-first approach comes into play. At Unit4, we believe in an AI strategy that empowers employees, helping them acquire the skills to become experts in a world where AI acts as a powerful collaborator rather than a replacement.

Strategies for success: A human-centric approach to AI

The future of work isn't about simply layering technology over existing processes. It's about evolving how organizations think about AI-moving from task execution to true innovation. To succeed at this, organizations should focus on three critical areas:

1. Adopt a human-centric AI strategy

Ensure that employees feel part of the AI journey and that the technology is used to augment their skills, not replace them.

2. Involve employees in AI implementation

Collaboration between AI and human workers will be essential, and building trust is key to securing employee buy-in for AI initiatives.

3. Commit to continuous skills development

By investing in upskilling employees across all levels, businesses can ensure they're ready to thrive in an AI-driven world.

Final thoughts…

At Unit4, we believe AI's role is to empower people, not replace them. That's why our AI initiatives focus on enhancing human potential, emphasizing pragmatic and responsible AI use.

Purposeful, sustainable implementation of AI at work requires a deep-rooted, company-wide DNA-like understanding that Artificial Intelligence should not be seen as a replacement for human intelligence; rather, that it should serve as a powerful tool to enhance people's creativity and innovative spirit.

Meike Escherich, Associate Research Director, European Future of Work, IDC.

Together, we can build a future workplace where AI complements human expertise, driving greater innovation, productivity, and competitive advantage.

You can learn more about how AI-driven automation is already helping many Unit4 customers here, and you can download the full IDC InfoBrief here.

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