The Breakfast Exchange debates AI impact on employment
AI is a topic that is hard to escape with most businesses having at least attempted to utilise it in their day-to-day activities. But how is it impacting business decisions, staffing and hiring trends?
These questions were at the centre of the discussion at the latest instalment of the Breakfast Exchange in Bath, co-organised by The Business Exchange, Thrings Solicitors and accountants Richardson Swift, exploring where AI is improving productivity, whether it is taking peoples’ jobs and how it can support roles without undermining trust in workers.
Joining the panel to share their insights on the “tech vs people” topic with the 70 business leaders from across Bath and the wider region, were business founders Richard Jaggs, of digital marketing agency Resolution, and Alex Bacon from Brightkeel AI.
Alex said, “I very much see AI as a change management opportunity, not an IT project. Leaders need to understand the role they want AI to play in their business, then give their teams clear direction, guardrails, and proper training. I believe the real opportunity is enhancing your team, not replacing them.”
Richard added, “At Resolution we are already integrating AI tools into our work and see further opportunities for AI-enabled ways of working to support the team and enhance our service to clients.. Human oversight and proper internal governance is an essential part of our approach to AI collaboration, understanding what we as people do best, where AI can add real value and where it can’t.”
They were joined by Natalie Ward, Partner in Thrings’ Employment team, and Debbie Boulton, Managing Director of Richardson Swift, who discussed the experiences their clients are having and what businesses can and should be doing to utilise AI while protecting their workers.
Debbie said, “We act for many owner managed businesses and our advice to them is to plan strategically for how AI can be integrated in their businesses and what impact this will have – this may mean allowing staff to have time to explore and develop AI solutions, which can have a cost attached with regards reduced productivity, but longer term should improve margin and profitability. The cost of staff has reduced margin for many businesses but improving efficiencies should help turn this back around.”
Natalie added, “It was great to be able to discuss the exciting opportunities that AI innovation undeniably presents all employers, and to hear so many varying views from the audience.
“Despite its obvious potential, AI may also give rise to risk, liability and an unsettled workforce wondering if they’re going to be replaced. Wherever employers are in their journey to embed AI solutions within their businesses, they will want to engage staff in that process and also ensure that AI usage is clearly defined in a policy that also sets out the company’s expectations of how AI output will be checked and verified by the human eye. Organisations that get this right will allow technology to flourish alongside the essential human element.”
To register your interest in attending a future Breakfast Exchange meeting, please email: press@tbesw.co.uk
Pictured above from left to right: Natalie Ward, Alex Bacon, Anita Jaynes, Debbie Boulton, Richard Jaggs
