Written by Gianna Driver, Chief People Officer at Lattice and CultureCon West 2024 Speaker
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As highlighted in our recent Lattice State of People Strategy 2025 report, only about 15% of HR teams have transitioned from evaluating AI to fully implementing it within their organizations. While this may seem like slow progress, it's a crucial reminder of the care HR professionals are taking when adopting new technologies—and for good reason. As we work to become more proficient in AI, it's essential to consider the impact on workplace culture, which remains one of the most significant factors of a company’s long-term success.
At its core, AI has the power to bring people closer together and strengthen workplace culture, but only if it’s managed with intentionality. Leaders must stop treating AI as the villain that could disrupt culture and instead recognize how AI can remove administratively burdensome tasks. When AI takes on repetitive tasks, it frees up employees to focus on what only humans can do—build authentic, human-to-human connections. The insights AI provides are not meant to replace human judgment but to augment it, allowing us to use data to make more thoughtful, informed decisions.
AI: The Culture Amplifier
One of the greatest benefits of AI in the workplace is its ability to strengthen culture through insights. With nearly real-time data, AI can analyze employee sentiment, highlight the drivers of happiness and engagement, and pinpoint where morale may be slipping. This allows organizations to address concerns proactively rather than waiting for issues to escalate. Imagine the power of knowing how your employees feel in real time—having that pulse on engagement can help companies stay connected with their people and quickly resolve challenges that could otherwise affect culture.
Additionally, AI is not just a tool for boosting efficiency; it is an enabler of inclusivity. Through AI-driven analytics, we can reduce biases in decision-making, from recruitment to promotions. By leveraging objective data and consistent processes, we can ensure that the decisions we make are fair and equitable, fostering a more inclusive workplace. AI is helping us challenge our assumptions and remove bias, which in turn creates a stronger, more diverse company culture.
Creating Connection in a Data-Driven World
Employees today are craving connection, and AI, despite being technology-driven, can help solidify the connective tissue between people. It does this by enhancing transparency—both for managers and employees. By providing clear, data-backed insights into what drives performance and satisfaction, AI equips leaders with the tools to foster deeper connections, especially through tools like pulse survey insights. Employees who feel seen, heard, and understood—especially when data affirms their experiences—are more likely to feel engaged and valued in the workplace.
Of course, AI must be implemented thoughtfully. It’s not just about automating tasks or processing data; it’s about using technology to enhance the human experience. When we implement AI responsibly, we demonstrate that it is here to help us, not replace us. The future of work lies in our ability to harness AI as a tool for good—a tool that amplifies our ability to build inclusive, engaging, and high-performing cultures.
Building a Culture of Trust with AI
For organizations and HR leaders, the journey to AI proficiency is just beginning, but there is a tremendous opportunity to shape how AI influences culture. As leaders, our role is to guide this transition in a way that makes employees feel supported, empowered, and connected. We have the chance to build workplaces that thrive, where employees can focus on meaningful work and collaborate in new, exciting ways.
So, rather than seeing AI as a disruptor, let’s embrace it as a partner in our mission to create strong, resilient workplace cultures. By leveraging the insights and efficiencies AI offers, we can strengthen human connections, remove barriers to inclusivity, and ensure that every employee feels part of a shared success.
As we move into this new frontier of AI in HR, let’s boldly shape our vision, take imaginative approaches, and remain dedicated to creating workplaces where people and technology thrive together.
On the subject of bold thinking, I’m looking forward to moderating an exciting panel discussion at CultureCon West in Las Vegas titled "Navigating the New Frontier: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Workplace Culture." Joining me are Dr. Julia Wiener and Sarita Parikh from Augeo. Together, we’ll explore how AI transforms collaboration, ethics, and engagement, and share practical strategies for integrating AI into culture-driven organizations. Stay tuned for insights that will shape the future of work!
About Gianna Driver:
Gianna Driver is the Chief People Officer at Lattice. Prior to joining Lattice, Gianna was the Chief Human Resources Officer at Exabeam, a global cybersecurity company. As CHRO, Gianna managed the strategy and processes related to building, investing in, and retaining top talent at Exabeam.
Gianna has been in the HR and tech industry for nearly two decades and is passionate about the intersectionality of people, productivity, and business results. She’s a contributing writer for the Forbes Human Resources Council and a frequent HR industry event speaker.
About CultureCon:
CultureCon, a Certified B Corporation®, is on a mission to inspire positive change around organizational culture. Through large conferences, online courses, consulting services, and certification programs, we deliver experiences that provide practical tools and motivation for our customers to become cultural change agents within their organizations. Our customers include business owners, CxOs, HR leaders, senior management, individual contributors, and anyone who wants to build more uplifting, inspiring, and healthy workplaces.
Learn more about our upcoming events.
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