AI seen as way to end favouritism at work

If you’re unhappy with the boss’s decisions, the solution might lie in artificial intelligence

If you’re unhappy with the boss’s decisons, AI could be the answer. Picture: iStock

Can AI reduce favouritism in the workplace when it comes to managers deciding who gets overtime or the best shifts? More than 80 per cent of Australian workers believe the techology could improve fairness and eliminate bias in their workplaces.

The faith in AI may be surprising given the debate about embedded bias in some tech programs, but Scott Euston, a director at global HR, payroll and management solutions firm UKG, says a survey of 1000 Australian employees suggested AI as an answer to unconscious bias in management decisions.

“It could be something as simple as when they’re scheduled, who gets time off, who gets offered overtime shifts,” he says. “The overtime shift is a really easy one, because who’s the first person you’re going to call? You’re going to call the person who says yes more often than not, so others may be missing out on that opportunity. That’s where AI can help level the playing field.”

The UKG survey also found that trust in generative AI is relatively high, with 55 per cent “somewhat trusting” and 24 per cent “completely trusting” the technology. And 25 per cent are so happy with AI they have entered sensitive or confidential work information when using it.

The survey found workers saw AI as a way to improve productivity but were “less receptive to it being used in critical HR decisions like hiring, firing and performance evaluation”.

Euston says a big part of AI is about giving managers and employees information to help them make good decisions: “I think it’s going to really augment the manager role, the employee role.”

The report says despite the ongoing theme that AI systems will overtake humans, security issues pose the more immediate threat to Australian businesses, with one in four workers admitting they have entered sensitive or confidential work information when using AI tools.

The survey found global executives at companies using AI estimate 70 per cent of their workers will be using AI by 2028; even those not yet using AI predict 20 per cent of their employees will be doing so in the next five years. But for now, the survey found that more than half of Australian workers are unaware that any of their systems or processes are powered by AI.

About two-thirds of workers expect AI will benefit their productivity, accuracy, job satisfaction and ability to spend time on meaningful tasks. About half say it will help “overall happiness; willingness to go above and beyond; and ability to spend time collaborating or socialising”. But 50 per cent reject the idea that AI could fire them.

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