The Modern People Leader: Forward-Thinking HR Build - “AI Abstinence” & Why Your HR Team Needs an AI Fair Use Policy
Sep 5, 2025
Jessica Zwaan, COO at Talentful and author of Built for People, dives into the fascinating world of AI in HR. She discusses the challenges of AI abstinence versus open use, likening tools to an Iron Man suit for decision-making. Jessica introduces her 4Bs framework—Bot, Build, Borrow, Buy—for smart adoption. The conversation touches on overcoming stigma around AI, making thoughtful investment decisions, and creating effective organizational policies. It's a thought-provoking exploration of balancing innovation and ethics in the workplace.
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$600 Survey Tool Built In Two Weeks
- Andrew Golden built a full engagement survey tool for $600 instead of paying a $20k vendor.
- He delivered a working product in two weeks, showing rapid internal build is feasible.
Abstinence Risks Competitive Isolation
- Blocking AI is like banning books because competitors will still use it and ideas are rarely purely original.
- Open adoption plus guardrails captures value while avoiding isolation from market practice.
The 'Cheating' Stigma Around AI
- People feel a stigma about using AI, equating it with 'cheating,' even when AI speeds and improves their work.
- Normalizing AI as a productivity tool reduces that shame and improves adoption.
