Written by Board Member Melissa Daley*
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world of work, reshaping industries, and altering how people approach their daily tasks. Just two years ago, AI was not at the forefront of public consciousness the way it is today. Now, professionals across sectors are adopting AI tools—such as GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) —to streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and improve efficiency.
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the workplace, it is crucial to ensure that its development and deployment remain human-centric , prioritizing ethical considerations that promote equity and justice in access to technical resources. This means designing AI systems that augment human capabilities rather than replace them, while ensuring that the benefits of AI are distributed fairly across all communities.
Understanding Human-Centered AI
Human-centered AI is an approach that places human needs, values, and ethical considerations at the core of AI development. Unlike purely automated systems that operate independently, human-centered AI is designed to collaborate with people , enhancing their abilities while maintaining transparency, accountability, and fairness.
A key component of modern AI is the Large Language Model (LLM) , a type of AI trained on vast amounts of text data to understand and generate human-like language. GPTs, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are a subset of LLMs that specialize in generating coherent and contextually relevant text based on user prompts. These tools are now being used across industries—from marketing and legal services to education and healthcare—to assist with drafting documents, brainstorming ideas, and even coding.
AI’s Role in Enhancing Workplace Safety and Efficiency
AI is already proving its value in making jobs safer, faster, and more efficient . In manufacturing, AI-powered robotics handle hazardous tasks, reducing workplace injuries. Predictive maintenance algorithms analyze equipment data to prevent breakdowns before they occur, minimizing downtime.
In healthcare, AI assists in diagnosing diseases, analyzing medical imaging, and even predicting patient outcomes, allowing doctors to focus on personalized care. In energy, AI optimizes power grids and predicts renewable energy output, contributing to sustainability. Finance benefits from AI-driven fraud detection and automated customer service, improving both security and user experience.
AI as a Collaborative Partner, Not a Replacement
Rather than eliminating jobs, AI is often enhancing human roles . For example:
- Customer support agents use AI chatbots to handle routine inquiries, freeing them to address more complex issues.
- Journalists and content creators leverage GPTs to draft articles or generate ideas, allowing them to focus on deeper analysis and storytelling.
Moreover, entirely new job categories are emerging—roles that didn’t exist just a few years ago. This mirrors the early 2000s, when social media first gained prominence. At the time, few could have predicted that Social Media Manager would become a standard career path. Similarly, today’s workforce will see roles like AI Ethics Consultant, AI Trainer, and Human-AI Collaboration Specialist become mainstream.
DDN Board of Directors member, Melissa Daley, recently attended a workshop hosted by The Kendall Project, a nonprofit focused on helping companies identify ways to harness AI without compromising jobs. “I learned that there are innovative ways to remove barriers to AI adoption, that will increase efficiencies for companies, while at the same time, make tasks at work easier for people. When something is new, it can be scary, especially when it comes to your job. I feel like we’re back at the dawn of the web, when people were skeptical about how it would be used. We are in a very exciting time!”
AI and Employee Trust
A vital key to implementing AI systems at work is that employees have to trust the tools they are being tasked to use. One way to do this is to provide employee experiences that are enhanced with AI. To build trust, Sourahn Deorah, Forbes Council Member and Co-Founder and CEO of AdvantageClub.AI recommends: “To ensure employees successfully adapt to the changing environment, provide clear communication and thorough training. Explain how AI will support employees, rather than displace them, and outline the measures you’ll take to mitigate biases, keep their personal data safe and ensure ethical AI use.” (1)
The Future of Work: A Human-Centric Approach
The rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges. To ensure equitable access, organizations must invest in reskilling programs, ethical AI frameworks, and policies that prevent bias in hiring and automation. By adopting a human-centric approach, we can harness AI’s potential to enhance—not replace—human labor , creating a future where technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.
As we navigate this transformation, one thing is clear: AI, when designed with ethics and equity in mind, will help people work smarter, safer, and more effectively than ever before. The key lies in ensuring that these advancements benefit everyone, not just a privileged few.
Source:
- https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2025/03/25/human-centric-ai-can-be-a-game-changer-for-the-employee-experience/Article written by Melissa Daley with the help of AI.
*Written by Board Member Melissa Daley, with the editing help of AI
