As we step into 2025, it’s clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is more than just a buzzword – it’s an integral part of how we work, communicate, and innovate.

Our first Employee Benefits Roundtable of the year focused on AI’s evolving role in business and the employee experience. With expert insights from Dave Ashton, Holmes Murphy’s Chief Information Officer, and Joe Schuler, Data Analytics Director, we explored how organizations can strategically leverage AI while addressing concerns around ethics, data security, and employee engagement.

From Exploration to Integration

A year ago, we were just scratching the surface of AI’s potential in the workplace. Today, AI adoption has accelerated, particularly in areas like employee productivity and automation of routine tasks. At Holmes Murphy, we’ve seen AI’s benefits firsthand with our Hey Holmes internal AI tool, which has helped draft job descriptions, improve email communication, and enhance presentations.

However, AI is not just about efficiency – it’s about enabling employees to focus on high-value tasks that require human expertise.

Balancing Benefits With Ethical Considerations

While AI adoption is rising, companies are still navigating critical questions:

• How do we integrate AI responsibly?
• What policies should we implement?
• How do we ensure ethical use?

These were key themes that surfaced during our discussion.

A recurring concern is the balance between using AI as a tool for efficiency and preserving human judgment and creativity. While AI can improve workplace output, there’s a risk of over-reliance. Employees may begin to use AI-generated responses instead of forming their own critical opinions, potentially diluting authenticity and critical thinking skills.

Companies must not only train employees on how to use AI but also on when to use it. This means encouraging thoughtful engagement, maintaining transparency, and ensuring employees retain ownership of their work.

Enhancing the Employee Experience

Research suggests that employees with access to AI tools report higher productivity and job satisfaction. However, many still struggle to integrate AI effectively into their daily workflow. Organizations must provide training, clear guidelines, and support structures to maximize AI’s value while addressing concerns over privacy, data security, and job displacement.

At Holmes Murphy, we initially restricted AI access to ensure responsible use. Over time, we transitioned to a guided adoption approach – granting access on request and providing training. Today, we are seeing more employees leverage AI effectively, particularly as it becomes embedded in everyday business applications like Microsoft 365 and Salesforce.

Benefits Communication Game Changer

One of the most exciting AI applications discussed was its role in employee benefits communication. In a recent AI community event hosted by our IT team, we explored how AI could personalize open enrollment materials for employees, including multilingual translations. A breakthrough example from global media illustrated how AI can now replicate a speaker’s voice in different languages while maintaining their natural tone and speech patterns. This has profound implications for employee engagement, particularly for diverse workforces.

AI Agents: The Next Frontier

Looking ahead, AI is evolving beyond simple tools into AI agents – systems that can direct their own processes and execute tasks independently. Joe highlighted how these AI-driven agents are being integrated into business workflows, potentially reshaping how employees interact with technology. While this presents immense opportunities, it also raises critical questions about data security, oversight, and the ethical boundaries of AI-driven decision-making.

What’s Next?

As AI adoption accelerates, organizations must strike a balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining ethical, responsible usage. Key steps include:

• Establishing clear AI policies that address data privacy, security, and ethical concerns.
• Providing comprehensive training to ensure employees understand both the potential and limitations of AI.
• Encouraging responsible AI use by fostering a culture that values human judgment and innovation.
• Exploring AI’s role in benefits communication to improve accessibility and engagement for diverse workforces.
• Keeping an eye on AI advancements such as AI agents and automation, ensuring they align with organizational values.

As we continue these discussions throughout the year, we encourage you to explore how AI can enhance your organization’s strategies while keeping ethics and employee well-being at the forefront.

A huge thank you to Dave, Joe, and all our roundtable participants for sharing their insights and experiences. If you want to learn more about our AI discussion or join our Employer Experience Roundtable Group, reach out today!