Workday, a leading business software company, has been working to increase employee adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) within its organization. Despite initial enthusiasm, internal research revealed that 43% of employees felt they lacked sufficient time to explore AI, while over a third were uncertain about using the technology or worried about its reliability and accuracy.
To address these concerns, Workday implemented several initiatives. The company held an all-hands meeting featuring AI success stories from employees, established a digital academy for AI upskilling, and hosted a “prompt-a-thon” where staff could brainstorm AI applications and develop relevant prompts. Senior leadership mandated that all 19,300 employees set personal goals for AI adoption by the end of the year, with progress to be assessed by managers.
Key Strategies for AI Adoption
- Peer-to-Peer Guidance: Workday’s internal analysis showed that guidance from colleagues was more effective than top-down evangelism from technologists.
- Encouraging Experimentation: The company emphasized that using AI to work more efficiently was preferred over not using it at all.
- Responsible AI Principles: Workday prioritized testing, risk assessments, and documentation, particularly as their tools are used for sensitive HR functions.
Measuring Success and ROI
Workday saw a 37% increase in AI adoption through May, with 79% of employees now using AI tools ranging from their own AI chatbot to features from vendors like Zoom and Google. Jim Stratton, Workday’s senior vice president of technology and architecture, is focusing on measuring the return on investment (ROI) for generative AI, particularly in areas like customer support and coding assistance.
Addressing Job Security Concerns
While AI has improved developer productivity by 20% or more, Stratton acknowledges concerns that companies may need fewer employees to do the same amount of work. Ashley Goldsmith, chief people officer, emphasizes that AI is meant to “supercharge” employees, not replace them, allowing the company to reinvest savings in technology and customer support.
Industry Context
Workday’s efforts reflect a broader trend in AI adoption. Other companies, like Morgan Stanley, are developing in-house AI tools to modernize legacy software. Meta is considering a multibillion-dollar investment in AI startup Scale AI. As AI continues to reshape the workplace, companies must balance technological advancement with responsible AI practices and employee concerns.
