As organizations explore how AI can improve efficiency, productivity and support their business, many leaders are asking the same question: how can AI be adopted in ways that strengthen employee opportunity and trust, along with business performance?
Building on insights from Expanding Equity’s recent learning and action cohort aimed at putting employees at the center of the AI transition, we hosted a conversation that explored practical steps organizations can take to make sure employees win, and don’t lose, from AI adoption. From the highlights of the discussion below, you’ll hear how leaders can approach AI thoughtfully and intentionally:
- Starting with organizational goals and values
- Involving employees throughout implementation
- Building inclusive governance needed for responsible adoption
Together, the conversation outlines the lifecycle of responsible AI adoption:
- Defining the business challenge and determining if AI tools are the right solution
- Testing and selecting the vendors and tools that are unique to your business
- Continuously monitoring to ensure that the systems and processes remain fair, effective and aligned with organizational goals
Jonathan Njus, senior program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, brought together experts in employment law and employment technology to explore how organizations can adopt AI responsibly while keeping workers at the forefront of every decision.
- Charlotte Burrows, former chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), came to the AI conversation from the law and policy side, bringing deep expertise at the intersection of employment law, workplace fairness and worker protections through her leadership at the EEOC and now as a fellow at NYU School of Law.
- Emily Black, assistant professor of Computer Science and Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, came to the AI conversation from the technology and systems side, bringing broad knowledge in how organizations are actually deploying AI tools and thinking about responsible adoption in practice.
Together, they offered practical guidance for leaders navigating AI adoption in ways that strengthen fairness, build trust, reduce risk and create better outcomes for employees and businesses alike.
Why AI?
AI presents significant opportunities for organizations, but realizing those benefits requires thoughtful and inclusive leadership. So, what’s different about this moment in the evolution of AI, and why does it require leaders to think differently about implementation?
Emily’s examples raise an important question: How can leaders ensure AI remains a tool that supports better organizational decisions rather than replacing human judgment? As Jonathan puts it, “you want to make sure that you are moving the technology in the better direction, not the technology moving you.”
Good Governance
With that mindset in place, the next step is understanding where responsible AI adoption begins. How can organizations adopt AI responsibly while minimizing risk, and what governance structures should organizations have in place before deploying AI?
AI Implementation
Choosing an AI tool is only the beginning of the process. Once an organization decides the technology could help address a business need, how should leaders evaluate and implement these tools to ensure they’re effective, responsible and aligned with how employees are actually working?
Employee Engagement
Responsible AI adoption depends on collaboration across an organization. Coming from a civil rights and equal opportunity perspective, Charlotte highlighted the importance of cross-functional leadership and governance processes that keep organizational values and worker experience at the center of implementation. What role does employee engagement and change management play in responsible AI adoption, and what does effective governance look like in practice?
Leadership Opportunity
Throughout the conversation, Jonathan, Emily and Charlotte provided practical advice leaders can apply right now. As Jonathan emphasized,
“Leaders have the responsibility to ensure that these tools are implemented thoughtfully, responsibly, and equitably in ways that serve and benefit workers, which will build trust among workers, which will help with retention and growth.”
AI adoption is ultimately a leadership opportunity. Organizations that take time to define their goals, evaluate technologies carefully, engage workers throughout implementation and build strong governance practices are better positioned to create workplaces that are fair, effective and prepared for the future.
As this conversation illustrated, keeping workers at the center of AI decisions helps organizations strengthen trust, improve outcomes and realize the full potential of AI in the workplace.
If you’re interested in continuing to build practical strategies for workplace fairness and organizational success, we encourage you to watch the full session and consider joining the Expanding Equity network. Members can connect with leaders across industries, access evidence-based tools and peer learning, and gain the resources to help your organization navigate today’s workplace challenges with confidence.