Cisco's HR chief said the 'worst thing' companies can do is pile more work on employees after AI saves time (www.businessinsider.com)

Cisco's Chief People Officer, Kelly Jones, has emphasized that during the early adoption of AI, companies should avoid overwhelming employees with additional tasks after AI tools save them time. In a conversation with Business Insider, she indicated that AI should be presented as a means for workers to reclaim portions of their day, rather than as an additional workload. This perspective reflects a common challenge faced by many organizations where, despite significant productivity improvements due to AI, employees often feel their overall workload remains unchanged. Jones highlighted that the role of HR will need to evolve towards redesigning work structures as AI tools reshape task distribution. This involves not only determining how to effectively incorporate AI into daily operations but also figuring out what work should be automated versus handled by human employees. The significance of this shift cannot be understated, as it represents a crucial transition from merely managing tasks to strategically redesigning work processes—ensuring that the benefits of AI adoption enhance employee productivity without leading to burnout or dissatisfaction.