Embracing AI in the Workplace: A Deep Dive into Internal Communication and Employee Engagement
We delve into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its profound impact on internal communicators and employee engagement.
The AI Revolution in Corporate Communications
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Fiona Passantino, an acclaimed speaker, blogger, coach, podcast host, and the author and illustrator of the award-winning 2023 UK book comic books for the executive series. Fiona is a luminary in the field of AI, particularly in its applications within the workplace.
Our conversation began with a reflection on the potential of AI to revolutionise the way we serve content to employees. I highlighted the buzz around AI at the Unite 23 conference and the growing need to harness AI to enhance personal productivity and make work more effective and efficient.
Fiona Passantino: Bridging the AI Knowledge Gap
Fiona shared her extensive background in corporate communications and her passion for AI. She took us through the history of AI, noting its recent surge in development due to the increased availability of data. Fiona stressed the significance of non-technical professionals understanding AI, not just for its technical applications but also for its broader implications on policy and society.
As an AI trainer, facilitator, and coach, Fiona is dedicated to guiding non-technical professionals through the transition to AI-powered processes. Her work is pivotal in demystifying AI and making it accessible to a wider audience.
Hyper-Personalisation and Strategic AI Integration
One of the most powerful applications of AI, according to Fiona, is hyper-personalisation in communication. She proposed the innovative idea of creating podcasts for leadership communication that are tailored to different employee groups. This approach could leverage AI tools for language translation and voice cloning, thereby engaging employees across various regions.
Fiona underscored the necessity for organisations to adopt AI strategically. This involves comprehensive training, task mapping, and a commitment to continuous education to keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI tools.
The Joy of AI: Enhancing Human-Centric Work
Our discussion also touched on the potential of AI to amplify joy and inspiration in the workplace. Fiona and I explored how AI could take over menial tasks, freeing up time for employees to engage in more meaningful, human-centric work. This shift would allow human skills, such as connecting with people, brainstorming, and problem-solving, to come to the forefront, while AI handles the technical and time-consuming tasks.
Navigating Data Security and the EU AI Act
A critical aspect of integrating AI into the workplace is data security. Fiona highlighted the recent EU legislation, the EU AI Act, which categorises AI into banned, high-risk, limited-risk, and minimal-risk categories, each with its own set of regulations and guidelines.
She emphasised the importance of data security and user rights, including the right to challenge algorithmic decisions and to be informed if content is AI-generated.
Tips for Organisations Embracing AI
Fiona offered valuable tips for organisations looking to embrace AI. She suggested that learning about AI should be engaging and celebratory. Organisations should be aware of the risks but also seize the opportunities AI presents. She also shared information about her upcoming book on AI and her existing comic book series, which focuses on communication and employee engagement.
Guest profile
Fiona Passantino is a speaker, blogger, coach, podcast host and the author and illustrator of the Award-winning 2023 UK Business Book “Comic Books for Executives” series, which includes titles on Communication and Engagement. She is the host of the podcast “Working Humans”. Her book “AI-Powered”, is a simple guide for “non-technical” professionals in this new world, and is coming soon.
Before becoming an independent consultant, Fiona was embedded in corporate communications for 15 years, working for some of the largest international companies in Europe. She received an MBA in Management from the University of Amsterdam with a concentration in AI, and has been writing and speaking about AI ever since.
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionapassantino/
Other useful links:
Podcast: Working Humans (Apple, Spotify)
Handbook: https://www.postcovidhandbook.com
AI Tools
To clone your voice for those CEO weekly “roundup” podcasts in 28 local languages, ElevenLabs
For that general-purpose AI “layer” over your Microsoft environment, multi-platform, use Staffbase
The Blog
Books
https://www.working-humans.com/read/
Episode links
Link to a relevant episode of the podcast: https://thebigpicturepeople.co.uk/blog/podcast/the-impact-of-ai-on-internal-comms-s5-e8/