Welcome to the future, a realm where artificial intelligence (AI) not only revolutionizes our tasks but also hands us back a precious 30% of our time. This quantum leap in efficiency has sparked a galaxy of excitement. Imagine: what could you do with that extra time? Employees dream of diving into passion projects or upskilling, while leaders see a golden ticket to boost productivity or perhaps streamline their teams.
The Great Time Divide: A Launchpad for Growth or a Black Hole of Overwork?
Here we stand at a crossroads, with AI extending an invitation to a new era of work and life balance. Employees, envisioning time for growth and personal development, are buzzing with anticipation. They’re not just thinking about leisure; they’re planning to enrich their careers and personal lives.
On the flip side, employers eye this 30% time saving as a chance to push the envelope on what their teams can achieve—potentially without adding more hours to the clock. This could mean scaling operations up or down, focusing on innovation, or just boosting the bottom line. However, this focus, if driven solely by profit, risks missing the human element essential for sustained innovation and employee satisfaction.
Engage: The Critical Need for Transparent Dialogues
This exciting potential brings us to a vital junction: how do we decide what to do with this newfound time? And how can we ensure it doesn’t just evaporate into thin air or get absorbed into a vortex of new demands on our time?
The key lies in transparent, strategic dialogues between employees and leaders. It’s not just about reallocating time but about creating opportunities for enrichment and efficiency alike. This dialogue, a communication charter of sorts, is about setting clear expectations and crafting a future that benefits everyone involved—balancing the scales between personal development and organizational objectives.
Finding Balance: Thriving in the AI-enhanced Workplace
Our mission is to navigate this new landscape thoughtfully. According to the new 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report conducted by Microsoft and LinkedIn across more than 31,000 employees, 68% of employees were struggling to keep up with the pace and volume of their work and 48% of workers expressed that they feel burned out. By allocating saved time towards both innovation and personal development, we can foster a more engaged and fulfilled workforce. This balance not only prevents burnout but also propels creativity and productivity.
Forward-thinking companies, like those certified as the world’s most Digitally Balanced Workplaces, recognize that prioritizing a human-centric workforce is key to achieving organizational
outcomes and attracting top talent, particularly among Gen Z who arguably have the most sought-after skills to leverage AI gains in the future.
The Role of Digital Wellness
As we embrace the potential of AI, let’s focus on using this newfound time wisely. It’s a chance not just to enhance productivity but to enrich our lives, making room for joy and satisfaction
alongside efficiency. Let’s use this opportunity to spark a positive transformation in the workplace, ensuring that the time saved by AI becomes a wellspring of creative and personal growth.
Navigating The Time-Saving Continuum: The Dual Promise Of AI was first published on Forbes.
Amy Blankson is the Co-founder and CEO of the Digital Wellness Institute and the bestselling author of The Future of Happiness. A graduate of Harvard and the Yale School of Management, she’s the only person to receive a Point of Light award from two US Presidents.
Amy is also a member of the UN Global Happiness Council, a Fellow of the World Innovation Organization, a featured professor in Oprah’s happiness e-course, and a regular contributor to Forbes. Amy serves on the AI for Human Flourishing Council at Harvard. Her current work focuses on how to cultivate happiness and well-being in the digital era.
