HRchat Podcast AI at Work: Fear, Facts, Forward with Dr. Mary Hayes
Want a real-world look at how AI is reshaping work without the hype? Dr. Mary Hayes joins us to explore what employees actually feel about AI, why optimism varies across countries and roles, and how leaders can turn uncertainty into momentum through honest, practical communication. We dig into ADP Research findings that reveal a surprising truth: many executives admit they don’t yet know how AI will change their jobs, and that vulnerability can be the key to building trust when paired with clear use cases and feedback loops.
We break down where AI helps today—automating repetitive Q&A, speeding data analysis, and freeing people to handle nuanced conversations—and where it still falls short in creativity, common sense, and emotional intelligence. You’ll hear a simple framing that sticks: AI won’t necessarily replace you, but someone using AI might. The path forward is to make the technology a tool for every employee and to design learning experiences that meet people at different stages of their careers.
Dr. Hayes shares a practical blueprint for upskilling across three role types—knowledge workers, cycle workers, and skilled task workers—highlighting how each group perceives readiness and investment differently. We talk about bridging soft-skill gaps in communication and critical thinking, especially after years of disrupted education, and we offer ideas for peer coaching that pairs digital fluency with deep domain judgment. Expect concrete steps: start with focused pilots, publish what works, measure time saved and quality gains, and keep the conversation open so adoption feels collaborative, not imposed.
If you’re leading teams through AI change or figuring out where to begin, this conversation will help you craft transparent messages, pick high-value use cases, and build durable skills that machines can’t imitate. Listen, share with your team, and tell us: what’s the first workflow you’ll pilot with AI? Subscribe, leave a review, and join us at HRGazette.com for more research and episodes.
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