Feb 18, 2025

[Column] Yesh Surjoodeen: How AI is personalizing and transforming the employee experience We are experiencing a profound technological revolution, with AI emerging as a transformative force. As AI continues to unlock new possibilities, consumers are optimistic about its potential to enhance work but are eager for real-world applications. Business leaders see AI as a way to redefine productivity and personalization, aiming to bridge the gap between business growth and employee satisfaction. HP’s Work Relationship Index, a global study, uncovered a pressing need to improve employee engagement. Only 28% of knowledge workers report a healthy relationship with work, and two-thirds desire more personalized experiences and access to preferred technologies. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, its influence on the future of work will grow, with significant changes expected by 2025. AI as a Personalized Experience A personalized work experience empowers employees to engage in deep, meaningful work. At least two-thirds of knowledge workers want personalized work experiences, and 87% would give up part of their salary to obtain it. AI plays a critical role in this by helping employees streamline their workflows in ways that reflect their preferences. For example, AI tools like Microsoft Copilot allow companies to leverage an AI assistant in familiar environments, making communication and document customization more efficient. Real-time language translation opens new global markets and opportunities, enabling employees to communicate across linguistic barriers. In South Africa, innovations like Lelapa AI’s VulaVula are helping bridge communication gaps in multilingual workplaces. This AI-driven tool translates, transcribes, and analyzes languages such as English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and Sesotho, fostering collaboration across diverse teams. AI is a catalyst for productivity, inclusivity, and employee well-being. According to HP’s Work Relationship Index, 69% of knowledge workers and 77% of business leaders agree that AI-powered personalized experiences improve job satisfaction. AI tools simplify processes, allowing employees to focus on tasks that require creativity and expertise. Empowering Businesses and Workers The South African government recognizes AI’s potential to drive innovation. The National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence, published in 2023, lays the groundwork for widespread adoption, focusing on empowering businesses to unlock opportunities, improve efficiency, and create jobs. A personalized experience benefits both productivity and worker wellness, ultimately improving a company’s reputation, outputs, and bottom line. Businesses should prioritize AI as a key strategy for growth and employee satisfaction. Accelerating Creation, Connection, and Engagement AI bridges the gap between imagination and creation. Data scientists, for example, often face obstacles due to fragmented tools and limited resources. To overcome these challenges, AI developers now have access to integrated platforms that allow for seamless collaboration, faster project launches, and simplified workflows. This unified approach revolutionizes model creation and promotes flexibility in the development process. In addition, AI tools help tackle issues such as bias and drift, ensuring greater reliability and trust in AI solutions. Video conferencing is also benefiting from AI, providing life-like experiences that make remote collaboration feel more connected. Advanced voice, video, and sensor technology enhance communication, while real-time monitoring improves the user experience and elevates the sense of presence. Anticipating a Bright Future While mass adoption of AI poses challenges, such as the energy strain from cloud-based AI applications, the benefits of AI in improving efficiency and productivity outweigh these costs. By 2027, the AI industry is expected to use as much energy as a country the size of the Netherlands. However, companies can mitigate energy consumption by adopting AI-powered PCs, which use less power than cloud-based solutions by shifting AI workloads to on-device processing. These devices are equipped with intelligent power management tools like HP’s Sure Sense 2.0, optimizing energy usage based on user behavior. Looking ahead, AI-driven PCs will play a vital role in achieving sustainability by incorporating energy-efficient technologies and smarter resource management. These advancements will help businesses reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining high performance and security. Rethinking the Future of Work In the era of AI, businesses must rethink how work is structured. Repetitive tasks can be automated, allowing employees to focus on more strategic and valuable tasks. As a result, work will become more fulfilling, productive, and collaborative. Ultimately, AI has the potential to help employees derive greater joy from their work. Are you interested in having your interview published on our website, click here .