Why 73% of CEOs Prioritize AI Investments… And What They’re Missing About Human Motivation.
I sometimes feel overwhelmed when I read the research that shares the exponential growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development. Global spending on AI surged to $184 billion in 2024, with 73% of CEOs calling it a top investment priority. There is so much happening in the GenAI space and the pace is crazy fast.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? It’s a state where you feel you have too much to handle. Whether it’s tasks, emotions, or thoughts. Being overwhelmed can lead to feelings of being stuck or paralyzed. “Overwhelmed” might seem like a bad feeling to have, but when you unpack the message that “overwhelmed” is sharing with you, it becomes really powerful. Emotions are cutting-edge data.
The message in “overwhelmed” is that you need to slow down, prioritise and focus on what truly matters.
I did just that. I identified what truly matters for your business in this age of Automation and Artificial Intelligence. In a world where reduced human assistance is transforming workplaces and industries, there are three top priorities to create and maintain motivation.
The current state of human moral
One of the biggest challenges a business faces when adopting new technology in any form, is managing the bif feelings of employees who are affected by this transformation. Think about the hype behind AI systems. Consider how their reputation for task automation and reduction of workloads, is triggering feelings of fear, insecurity and redundancy among workforces around the globe. Then add into the mix the unprecedented levels of social and political change that have reshaped industries over the last few years since the global health pandemic which erupted in 2020. Your staff might well be feeling completely over-whelmed and demotivated.
Balancing the benefits of new technology and AI, with strategies that sustain and elevate human motivation, should be our core focus. Leaders in organisations who set clear priorities will leverage the powerful new technologies while tapping into the essential human drivers. So what are the three top priorities for every leader who wants to create and maintain motivation in their workforce?
1. Understand the critical role that Emotional Intelligence plays in motivating your people
Automated systems, like AI, no matter how advanced, lack what we call Emotional Intelligence. While they can execute tasks with speed and precision, they cannot replace the deeply human qualities that drive collaboration, trust, and motivation among your workforce. For these reasons EI training is critical in businesses seeking to navigate AI integration and new technologies effectively.
Emotional Intelligence is being smarter with feelings. These EQ competencies will counterbalance the transactional nature of this new world that includes AI and machine generated solutions. Empathy is an essential competency used for understanding the emotional landscape of teams in order to provide support during times of change.
2. Start having honest conversations
To counter the negative cycle, you need to foster an environment of transparency and continuous communication from the outset. Frame technology as a tool that liberates employees from repetitive or mundane tasks and allows them to focus on creative, strategic, and interpersonal activities. The messaging must be clear – AI and technology augments human roles rather than replaces them. But your actions must align with this to build trust. For example, I have a client that replaced a “job task” with a GenAI tool, but they did not replace the person. They had new and exciting plans for the human.
A recent Gallup Survey “What Followers Want” reveals that followers worldwide and looking for hope, compassion, trust and stability from leaders. The study, conducted across 52 countries, found that these four needs are consistently prioritised. With a clearly deliberated effort, you can reduce fear and increase buy-in.
3. Empower your people and prioritise leadership development
Focus on reskilling to ensure employees feel empowered to adapt and thrive in an AI and technology enhanced environment. When staff see tangible investments in their professional development, they are more likley to perceive this as an opportunity for growth, rather than a threat.
You’re going to need to lean heavily on your leaders to clearly articulate your vision. The role of these influencers will be pivotal and they will ultimately drive staff sentiment and a positive transition process.
Nuanced skills are required to navigate human emotion in the context of this disruption. The business needs to focus on equipping leaders with advanced change management and coaching capabilities. Leaders must be trained to recognize early signs of employee disengagement, resistance, or anxiety, and to respond with empathy and tact.
- Encourage leaders to adopt a coaching mindset – they should create a culture of open dialogues and listen actively to employees’ concern. When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to remain committed and engaged.
- Inspire leaders to model a growth-oriented attitude – demonstrating enthusiasm for learning and adaptation. Leaders should highlight success stories within the business and industry, instances where AI has improved work-life balance, enhanced performance, or created new opportunities for innovation.
Beyond Survival – Finding the Balance
It’s going to be a high-wire act for many businesses. Looking both left and right into the abyss is strong stuff for even the most seasoned players. AI and disruptive technology will continue to reshape the business world whether we like it or not. The real winners will be those organisations that recognize the value of the human elements that these systems simply can’t replace.
It’s about so much more than cutting edge technology. Understand the power of emotional intelligence and start talking to your people. Prioritise investment in training that safeguards their wellbeing and leads to a more motivated and resilient workforce. This is how you harness the real value of man and machine in harmony.
The Human Edge: Unlock EI in The Age Of AI – Our new course for real humans will give you the skills to become an indespensible future-ready leader.
Link to full Gallup Report – What Followers Want From Leaders
