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Scary. Puzzling. Exciting.
Business leaders use all three words to describe artificial intelligence (AI). And their varying meanings showcase exactly why widespread corporate AI adoption has been so uneven. Yet some St. Louis businesses are getting AI right, and they’re doing it by focusing on the human element rather than the technology.
First, though, the broader trend is clear: Generative AI tools are becoming more familiar and more widely used. People may still be reluctant to fully embrace AI, especially in professional settings, but many are already experimenting with it in their private lives. That everyday exposure is helping normalize the technology, even as workplace adoption remains more cautious.
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In other words, many people are at least experimenting with AI. Yet experimentation does not always translate into a mature workplace strategy. Employees may understand AI in a general sense, but businesses still need clear goals, governance, and training before the technology can be adopted effectively.
On the one hand, AI is becoming more prominent in workplace technology. On the other hand, it’s still fairly new, and organizations and many of their leaders don’t want to run into any early adoption missteps.
That hesitation is understandable, but St. Louis organizations offer useful examples of how businesses can approach adoption. Across sectors such as healthcare and financial services, local businesses are using AI tools to improve their operations. Many are approaching adoption through a human-centered lens.
What does human-centric AI adoption look like? Lisa Nichols, co-founder and CEO of St. Louis-based Technology Partners, draws on her experience as an IT leader, host of the “Something Extra” podcast and author to share several ways the local business community can approach corporate AI adoption effectively.
1. They’re finding ways to use AI to free their workers from mundane tasks
Many employees have repetitive tasks they would rather spend less time completing. While some of those tasks can’t be automated by AI, such as physically moving reams of paper from the store room to the copier, others can be tackled by AI software and systems.
However, research suggests that AI is more likely to change the nature of many jobs than eliminate them outright. For many organizations, the more immediate opportunity is to use AI to reduce repetitive work while helping employees focus on tasks that require judgment, creativity and human connection.
Local leaders are already using AI to help employees find more time for meaningful, purpose-driven work. A St. Louis-based education company, for example, offers AI tools that automate routine responsibilities such as lesson planning, grading and communication. This allows teachers to spend more time on instruction and direct support for students. In these cases, AI handles routine responsibilities so employees have more time for strategic activities that require human judgment and insight.
2. They’re helping employees see AI agents as assistants
One way to see AI agents is as software tools. Another is to see them as full-blown assistants. Naming an AI assistant may seem unusual, but giving an agent a name can help employees understand its assistive role.
Chatbots are just one example of how AI can support employees. AI agents can do more than understand questions and find answers. AI agents can help employees access information and complete certain cognitive tasks more efficiently. When AI agents handle some of that work, employees can devote more time to deliberation, problem-solving and collaboration with colleagues.
This boils down to reframing the AI-human connection as a partnership. AI handles background work while employees focus on responsibilities that benefit from their individual strengths. This division can also reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
3. They’re helping end users get results faster
Healthcare offers a clear example of human-centered AI adoption. One locally based healthcare provider documents nurse-patient conversations and enters the information into electronic health records. By reducing documentation time, the tool gives nurses more opportunities for direct interaction with patients and their families.
Human-centered AI adoption is also emerging outside healthcare. A St. Louis-headquartered AI-powered video technology company identifies driving risks and provides drivers with real-time safety alerts. The technology helps drivers correct unsafe behavior while reducing the volume of alerts fleet managers need to review.
AI remains a developing field. However, St. Louis organizations that approach adoption through a human-centered lens may be better positioned to integrate the technology while supporting employees and customers.
