Marvin OnumonuOver a third (35%) of employers thought artificial intelligence (AI) would increase productivity at work, according to research commissioned by Acas.
12% of employers believed AI would give their business a competitive edge, while 11% thought it would increase knowledge.
The same percentage said more work could be done with fewer staff, and 11% saw no benefit at all.
Niall Mackenzie, CEO at Acas, said: “Our survey shows optimism amongst some employers about the potential for AI to boost their productivity, decrease costs and increase knowledge.
“Used responsibly, AI has the potential to empower workers and support the delivery of different workplace tasks.
“Businesses should be proactive in having early discussions about AI with staff, trade unions, and other worker representatives to understand the potential implications and ensure its adoption is well-informed.”
Mackenzie added: “A good, clear policy will help businesses stay safe, transparent and reassure staff that they are valued.”
Acas advised employers to develop clear policies if they plan to introduce AI at work, and to speak with staff and their representatives about any changes.
Additionally, Acas said if workers are expected to use AI, this could mean a change to terms and conditions.
Employers should explain how AI can improve jobs and reassure staff that human involvement will still be needed.
Acas also advised that AI is not perfect, so its outputs should be checked for accuracy, tone and bias.
Furthermore, Acas advised workers not to put business sensitive or personal information into public tools, as this data could be made public or used by others.
Acas added that company policies and GDPR should be checked before using AI at work.
