Why policies and training are essential to making AI work for your organisation

A UK law firm’s recent decision to restrict employee access to generative AI has sparked debate: how can businesses balance AI’s efficiency gains with ethical considerations?

In this People Management magazine article, HR Technical Consultant Sarah Kerr shared her insights on the importance of regular training with AI tools, to unlock their practical benefits and instill clear policies of acceptable use.

In this blog, Sarah expands on her thoughts, sharing her insights on how businesses can successfully integrate AI while mitigating potential risks and maximising its benefits.

From fear to flair: Making AI work for your organisation

There may be some resistance to the imminent tide of changes resulting from the rapid integration of AI, but the integration of AI in law is an undeniable trend.

AI tools are automating tasks that used to consume significant time and can analyse vast amounts of data more quickly than humans, which can free up legal professionals to focus on more complex, strategic work, including face to face interactions with clients and other involved parties to reduce case durations and resolve matters in a reduced and cost-effective timeframe.

With ongoing cost pressure and a tighter workforce, embracing the benefits of AI to bridge this resourcing gap and improve ways of working will be beneficial. However, it’s understandable that many organisations are in the “fear and friction” phase of embracing AI, especially when dealing with the complexities of the law across a multitude of specialisms, both in the contentious and non-contentious spheres.

Balancing AI’s innovations with security and compliance

To balance the advantages of AI alongside the creative and strategic benefits that employee autonomy brings to the workplace, organisations need to avoid treating AI like a one-size-fits-all solution and instead utilise the right tools, along with the right usage policies, to suit each organisation’s unique DNA. Successful AI adoption starts with understanding your organisation’s specific needs and challenges.

Data security, ethical use, and compliance will always remain crucial to the successful implementation and operation of AI in an organisation. But these concerns shouldn’t paralyse businesses into inaction. The key is creating clear, compliant guidelines that protect organisations while empowering innovation.

When HR, IT, and Data Governance teams work successfully together, they can ensure that AI policies and training evolve alongside AI advancements. It’s a bit like learning to drive – you need both rules of the road and practical experience behind the wheel to get to the right destination.

Empowering teams through training and clear communication

The organisations that are getting it right are the ones showing, not just telling. They’re creating hands-on training programmes that demonstrate how AI can make everyone’s job easier and more efficient. Training and policies should illustrate acceptable and unacceptable AI use with organisation-specific examples, promoting user understanding.

As AI evolves at pace, it’s important to regularly update and repeat AI training for the workforce so it is relevant to the latest advances. Also tracking that employees have undertaken it and understand their responsibilities is key, which is where digital learning adds value. Quizzes built into digital training courses can also ensure AI policies are well understood.

Success hinges on empowering employees to work smarter within safe boundaries. This requires building trust, providing accessible and well-understood training and policies, and fostering a confident work environment.

The “fear and friction” surrounding AI adoption can be overcome with the right approach. By focusing on practical training, clear guidelines, and open communication, organisations can empower their workforce to embrace AI and work smarter. The key is to proactively address concerns and create a supportive environment for innovation.