The take-up of ChatGPT, along with other emerging technologies, has been little short of meteoric, and with no precedent. 

At this early stage we can only guess what the actual effects and implications of AI will be, and how quickly things may change. 

How can we maintain our human essence?

1. Prioritise cultivating empathy, compassion and purpose

Organisations and leaders are still dealing with the aftermath of Brexit, Covid-19, skyrocketing costs along with the pressures of geopolitical issues. 

Add day-to-day pressured challenges to rightfully increasingly taking responsibility for their people’s mental health and wellbeing and growing demands from younger generations to be more conscious of racial, intersectional, gender and other differentials and we can see why leaders are struggling, as some might argue, like never before. 

Empathy, compassion, purpose and real connection are necessary antidotes to a rapidly changing and increasingly uncertain world.

2. Ensure ethical applications

There are so many potential benefits to AI but we cannot put our heads in the sand about the potential catastrophic risks and issues around rapid technological gains. 

We need to establish where we should draw a line, what is enough, against the backdrop of needing to keep up with the competition and the fact that the AI race is on. 

Empathy, compassion, purpose and real connection are necessary antidotes to a rapidly changing and increasingly uncertain world

3. Regulate and legislate

Leaders need to be razor-sharp in looking for unintended consequences of the introduction of AI. 

Regulation is needed now because we may soon otherwise be pushed over the ethical line in AI utilisation and while regulators do their work, it becomes beholden on leaders to apply their own high ethical standards. 

4. Maintain responsibility

Understand the full effects of changes we are making. Humans can do awful things to their fellow humans so there will always be a need for a level of responsibility.  

So much of tech reduces our responsibility and so we need to keep a very watchful eye and again, legislate to protect.

5. Value individual personalities

Right now, AI does not thrive in personalisation. 

Notice, acknowledge and increase the value of individuals and what they bring to the table with life experience and personality. 

6. Retain our humanity

Leaders need to sit down, interact and collaborate together in person. 

They need to understand their teams, and walking around and talking to people is an excellent starting point. 

We have to retain our humanity and value what distinguishes us from AI characteristics. 

Don’t be fooled because ChatGPT apologises charmingly when you point out that their last answer was a nonsense.

Notice, acknowledge and increase the value of individuals and what they bring to the table with life experience and personality

7. Keep up to date with AI training

Learning about AI capabilities through training means experiencing unique and innovative methods to help businesses understand the technology and its potential, to enable colleagues to come up with innovative solutions and new ideas. 

Not keeping up to date will lead to the skills gaps worsening and runs the risk of the business not being an attractive organisation for new hires.  

8. Use AI to identify areas for improvement

Looking at the ways AI could help businesses make improvements can result in employees being more skilled, productive, creative and competitive. 

But remember to review the potential unintended consequences.

9. Stay present

Being immersed in a virtual world still isn’t real life, even if some of us already live many hours of the day in a virtual world. 

Being present and based in reality, and connection with nature need to be prioritised. 

Being immersed in a virtual world still isn’t real life, even if some of us already live many hours of the day in a virtual world

10. Get back in touch with feelings and emotions

Will AI ever be able to have feelings? It will develop its sensitivity and behave as if it has feelings. But be clear, its decisions are not for the moment projected to be based on emotions in the way that ours are. 

We need to get back in touch and notice how we and others are feeling – because that still distinguishes us … for the moment. 

If you enjoyed this, read: Generative AI: The implications for L&D