Should promotion depend on how workers use AI?
It’s in Duncan Trevithick’s interest to be good at using AI at work – if he can use it to get more tasks done, faster, he’ll qualify for a bonus at the end of the year. On the surface, it’s a great incentive. But he’s questioning what’s really in it for him. “The uncomfortable interpretation [...] The post Should promotion depend on how workers use AI? appeared first on Kahawatungu .
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the workplace, the question arises: should an employee's promotion depend on their proficiency in using AI? Duncan Trevithick, a marketing professional for an AI training data company, grapples with this issue. While using AI to complete tasks more efficiently could potentially earn him more bonuses, he questions whether this is truly in his best interest, suggesting that it could hasten his job redundancy.
Many companies, including industry giants such as Accenture, Disney, Meta, JP Morgan, and KPMG, have embraced AI leaderboards to track and evaluate employees' AI usage. These practices have even led to companies like Coinbase firing engineers who failed to complete mandatory AI training. The push for AI adoption is driven by the desire to see returns on investments, with 94% of companies having yet to achieve substantial value from AI, according to McKinsey.
Employees feel compelled to adapt to this new reality, particularly given the current tight job market. Around 75% of UK jobseekers polled in July by Gi Group stated they'd not be deterred by organizations employing AI proficiency in individual performance reviews, though 22% found it off-putting. HR consultant Tina Rahman emphasizes the lack of transparency from employers regarding their intentions in incorporating AI into job roles, which could lead to discontent among employees.
While legally, companies are free to implement such policies, employment lawyer Tina Chander warns that this shift could raise questions about fairness and job security. Employees who demonstrate AI fluency may experience faster promotions and be less likely to face redundancy, creating a two-tier workforce where experience is less valued than AI proficiency.
Written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
