Everyone has been talking about AI, and for good reason! AI is currently revolutionizing nearly every industry. The technology has the potential to streamline collaboration, increase productivity, and help people get the information they need right when they need it. Exciting, right?
The analogy: A shiny new sports car
I recommend deploying a new AI technology to your workforce, giving the whole staff the keys to a shiny new sports car. You and I may understand how shiny and fancy this new car is and how much it will improve everyone’s lives. But do your staff even want a new car? Do they know what they can do with so much power and capability? Does everyone feel comfortable driving a sports car? I hope everyone has taken driver’s education and knows how to operate safely! If your staff cannot drive this shiny new sports car safely, severe risks are ahead.
Ensuring security in AI deployment
Similarly, deploying new AI technologies to staff who need to prepare may expose you to security risks. How can you enable your staff to feel confident, excited, and prepared to use AI technologies safely before any accidents happen?
The user enablement strategy
This is where a comprehensive user enablement strategy comes in. Naturally, this will look different across different organizations and industries. Here are a few key elements from the AI user enablement strategy for a current client engagement:
1. Value proposition
Partner with leadership and staff to identify tangible benefits that resonate most with the staff. What staff pain points can the new AI technology assuage? Lead with strong messaging around the top 3-4 scenarios in which staff will likely find themselves. An example, put into a first-person statement: “I need to give a last-minute presentation, but I don’t know where to start. I want to easily understand a lengthy document and generate a presentation based on key points.”
2. Training
While it may be tempting to teach staff everything they can do with a new AI technology all at once, a more manageable approach is to focus initial training around the top 3-4 scenarios identified in the value proposition. Make training engaging and relevant! Ideally, training should be hands-on and reflect as closely as possible how staff will use the tool in their day-to-day work.
3. Ongoing support
The ever-evolving nature of AI means that your staff’s needs are ever-evolving. Plan for various support and learning opportunities to accommodate your staff’s varied experiences, needs, and preferences. This could include 1:1 office hours, team training sessions, just-in-time job aids and references, hands-on workshops for new features, etc.
Empower your team
If you are planning on (or are currently in the process of) deploying AI technology, We’d love to connect with you! We can help you implement a user enablement strategy to prepare your staff to feel confident, excited, and ready to “drive” shiny new AI technologies safely.
Get in touch with us and let us know how we can help!