15 Aug 2023 | Suzie Coen

Media employees are using AI, but they’re not telling their boss

The Media Leader Jobs

Some say generative artificial intelligence will transform the workforce. Many workers say it already has.

People in all kinds of industries are tapping into AI technology to make their working lives easier. And who can blame them? These tools and products––from ChatGPT, Jasper and Google’s chatbot Bard, to AI-based image generators such as DALL-E 2, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion––promise to be so useful that they’re becoming irresistible to employees.

Utilising AI tech can help you analyse complex documents, transcribe and summarise video calls and meetings, compose emails, write marketing content and software code, generate stunning imagery for campaigns, research complex topics and even brainstorm plans and strategies. It has real potential to save a lot of time and massively boost productivity.

Keeping AI use a secret?

A recent Nielsen Norman Group study found that using generative AI tools in business improves employees’ productivity by an average of 66%, with more complex tasks and less-skilled workers seeing the biggest gains.

The benefits are real––but a lot of workers keep their AI use secret. While one in 12 (8%) of UK adults, or around one million people, have used generative AI for work, according to Deloitte’s 2023 Digital Consumer Trends report, the research also revealed that only 23% believe their employer would approve.

And a recent survey from the professional networking app Fishbowl (no relation to The Media Leader‘s own interview series) found that 43% of working professionals have admitted to using AI tools. Of those, 68% hadn’t told their bosses they were using these tools for work.

This all suggests a level of uncertainty around how companies might perceive using AI technology within the workplace. And maybe the fear is not unfounded.

Firstly, company policy might include a ban on generative AI use. Some organisations including investment banks and the likes of Accenture, Verizon, Samsung and Apple have reportedly issued complete or partial bans.

Secondly, workers might worry that if they can automate parts of their job, they might be training their own replacements. And thirdly, a big source of AI’s value is people not knowing you’re using it. When people know they’re receiving AI-generated content, they judge it differently.

Skills development

Increasingly, what employees want from their employers is the opportunity to develop themselves and their skills.

AI disruption is here, and with employees already on board, your leadership should look to embrace it and explore what it means for workers.

It’s clear that the decision of whether, when and how to adopt generative AI should not be left to you to figure out on your own. There are risks to using the technology, such as privacy, security, ethics and inaccuracy, so workers will need ground rules to guide them as they tap into the power of generative AI.

Forward-thinking bosses are proactively working on updating their strategy around how to use data and analytics to include AI tools and communicating clearly and transparently about how they are going to use AI in the workplace.

Opportunities for retraining and upskilling programmes should be considered to help workers transition to new roles. The most successful AI deployments will combine the best data, technologies and people.

If you’re interested in future proofing your career, it’s time to investigate opportunities with progressive companies that adopt a blended approach to AI. Your first stop? Head to the Media Leader Job Board where you can browse hundreds of jobs right now, like the three below.

Senior Internal Communications Executive, ITV Jobs, London

ITV Jobs is looking to recruit a Senior Internal Communications Executive for its Group Comms team in London. This role has been designed so the successful hire will learn everything needed to run a comms function: from channel management, and technical experience, to creative campaign management. ITV is looking for someone willing to step up, have new ideas and make things happen. With lots of autonomy, this opportunity is brilliant for someone wanting to expand their communication, digital asset production and event management skills.

Music Content Strategy Lead, TikTok, London

TikTok has an exciting open role for a Music Content Strategy Lead with its EU Artist Services team. This role will define the strategies through which TikTok encourages artists, tastemakers, and other music creators to produce higher-quality content to engage the user base. The ideal candidate will have seven or more years’ of working experience in either music or online platforms, and of course be passionate about music with demonstrable dedication to music culture. Worth noting that while a London work location is preferred, the company is open to applicants basing themselves in other European cities.

Event Coordinator – 12 Month FTC, News UK, London

As Event Coordinator at News UK, you will be accountable for the delivery and execution of NUK events. Key to this role is supporting the company’s titles and bringing brands to life, creating best-in-class content programmes supporting editorial and marketing objectives. With responsibility for the production of events, you’ll work closely with the whole News Live team, maintaining a high level of internal and external client satisfaction, and will meet KPIs agreed upon meeting the different stakeholders’ requirements.