AI Meets Employee Recognition: Workhuman’s Innovative Approach
Workhuman, a tech company based in Ireland, has successfully generated $1.2 billion in revenue by focusing on a fundamental human desire: the recognition of achievements and the expression of gratitude. In a surprising twist, this company is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to aid employees in providing more thoughtful feedback to their colleagues.
Enhancing Employee Recognition with AI
Recently, Workhuman introduced an AI-powered feature called “Human Intelligence” on its social recognition platform. This platform enables employees to publicly commend one another’s efforts and suggests appropriate rewards to accompany such praise. With a simple click of the pen icon, users can access a virtual assistant designed to enhance the quality of their recognition messages.
The Importance of a Personal Touch
Despite incorporating AI, Workhuman emphasizes the importance of maintaining a personal element in acknowledgment. Adam Basilio, the director of product strategy at Workhuman, states, “We don’t want an AI engine writing these recognition moments… People should feel ’emotional’ when they receive a message.” This sentiment echoes across the industry, as competitors like Benifex and Bonusly also acknowledge the need for human-centric interactions while utilizing AI technologies.
Practical Advantages for Organizations
Organizations utilizing Workhuman’s platform—such as BP, Cisco, and LinkedIn—can exchange expressions of recognition for various rewards, including gift vouchers and merchandise. The recently added AI functionality improves the precision of these rewards by analyzing feedback data within cost parameters established by the companies.
Additionally, managers benefit from high-level insights derived from aggregated employee feedback. These insights can help identify potential mentors and high-performing team members, ultimately aiding in talent retention strategies. Kerry Dryburgh, BP’s executive vice-president for people and culture, describes Workhuman’s system as a “game-changer” for fostering continuous feedback and has plans to adopt the new AI feature.
Addressing Concerns Over AI Integration
While the introduction of AI tools has its advantages, some experts caution against potential pitfalls. Bruce Daisley, a workplace culture consultant and former Twitter executive, points out that although these gratitude tools can enhance workplace kindness, there is a risk of removing the genuine human element from recognition. “We don’t want to take the humanity out of heartfelt actions…” he remarks.
A recent study led by Harvard Business School suggests that AI can provide significant emotional support in team dynamics, often eliciting positive reactions from team members that rival those without AI assistance. This research indicates that AI might fulfill some of the social roles typically held by human colleagues.
Training for Effective Communication
Workhuman’s proprietary language model builds on millions of past employee interactions, enhancing its ability to generate targeted insights for managers. CEO Eric Mosley notes that “with more data, the IQ of the AI gets higher,” promising to deliver more nuanced and thoughtful feedback options while striving to avoid clichéd corporate language.
Nonetheless, the nature of AI-generated suggestions varies, sometimes leading to interactions that may feel overly formal or insincere. Phrases like “this is shaping up nicely” or “Wow! You’ve just crafted a recognition moment that will leave a lasting impact” can elicit mixed reactions among users. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these AI tools will depend on how they are deployed within diverse workplace cultures.
Conclusion
Workhuman’s integration of AI into its employee recognition platform represents a notable evolution in how appreciation and feedback are conveyed in professional settings. While the potential for enhanced data-driven insights and improved recognition dynamics is promising, the balance between technological efficiency and genuine human connection will be crucial as organizations navigate this new landscape.