When AI and Humans Intertwine: What’s the Impact on Work Life?

The rapid development of AI is impacting our daily lives, whether we are direct users or not. From how we shop to how we communicate, AI touches nearly every aspect of our lives. The workplace is no exception—AI is becoming an essential tool that is reshaping how we work and collaborate.

Imagine you’re building a tower with your friends. It can take a long time to put all the pieces together. Now, picture a super-smart robot helper who quickly finds the right pieces and shows you the best way to build the tower. That’s what AI does in the workplace—it helps people work faster, streamlines complex tasks, and makes things more efficient.

In my own experience, I rely on AI for many parts of my job. Whether it's finding contact information for people I don’t know, sending emails on my behalf using a professional persona I’ve set up, or scheduling and arranging meetings, AI has become a valuable assistant. I even use it to sync meetings to my calendar and find the best transportation to arrive on time.

The impact of AI in the workplace goes beyond just saving time. It’s transforming the way companies operate—automating tasks, improving decision-making, and even enabling more personalized customer experiences. However, the shift comes with challenges, such as the need to adapt quickly and the potential for some to be left behind if they don't integrate AI into their workflows.

Just like the internet removed the limits of physical distance and changed how we communicate, AI is introducing a new kind of interaction—one between humans and non-human intelligence. In the future, just as we can’t imagine living without the internet today, most people will likely need to interact with AI daily.

An important question raised during the Somia x Anotasi session I attended last weekend was: Who is being left behind by AI? The session highlighted that people without access to technology are at risk of being marginalized. Additionally, without clear governance, AI could disproportionately benefit those already in power.

In my view, it’s not just about access to technology. People or companies that fail to embrace AI in their operations could also be left behind in a rapidly changing world.

To fully leverage AI in the workplace, there are a few key practices we should adopt:

1. Boost, Don’t Replace: Let AI enhance your work, but keep the human touch where it matters.

2. Partner with AI: Work with AI as a teammate, not just a tool, to maximize your potential.

3. Move Fast, Adapt Faster: Stay ahead by being bold and flexible with AI-powered solutions.

The takeaway is clear: AI has the potential to greatly improve our work lives and increase efficiency, but it’s crucial that we use it thoughtfully. By treating AI as a tool to enhance human capabilities, ensuring that no one is left behind, and staying adaptable, we can harness its power for meaningful progress. With ethical use and global collaboration, AI can be a force for positive change, helping to create a more equitable and innovative future for all.