Companies Must Invest in People to Benefit From AI
Companies will not see productivity gains from artificial intelligence unless they invest in employees and redesign work processes, Julie Teigland, EY’s global vice chair, told Reuters.
Training and Role Redesign Are Key
Teigland emphasized that merely deploying AI tools will not deliver returns. Companies need to update job descriptions and adapt processes to capture AI’s benefits.
EY research shows that intensive training can boost productivity. About 81 hours of training per employee, combined with role redesign, could result in roughly 14% weekly productivity gains.
Multi-Generational Impact
AI will reshape work over multiple generations. Entry-level roles and routine white-collar tasks will change, with employees moving from “doing the task to supervising the task,” Teigland said, becoming “above the loop.”
From Hype to Practical Use
Business leaders are taking a more practical approach to AI than a year ago. Companies are learning that AI is not plug-and-play. ROI requires organizational redesign and training, not just tools.
Many firms have moved past the initial phases of deploying AI like Copilot. Now, they face the challenge of moving beyond pilots and proofs of concept. Teigland warned that getting stuck in too many pilots can become a “death trap.”
