The Catalyst for a Better Company Culture 

AI has been immensely beneficial for driving improvements and innovation in healthcare, life sciences, and other key industries. This topic has been the buzz of the business world for the last decade, and recently, it has become the dominant subject. While AI is fascinating for business prospects and the future of industries, it has also produced a setting where employees are less receptive to the idea, fearing for their job security and value to a company.  

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending a Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association panel, "Transforming Healthcare and Drug Discovery with Artificial Intelligence," filled with business leaders in AI and healthcare spaces. Not only did they share incredible industry-specific insights, but they also engaged in a vibrant conversation about the impacts of AI within a company. A key takeaway stuck with me: culture is the most scalable innovation for a business, especially when utilizing AI. 

Reflecting on this, companies must educate their employees about AI to reduce stigma. They must also actively utilize AI in their operations to fully maximize their growth potential. Investing in people directly correlates with better output for a company on all fronts. From a financial perspective, companies have seen a fourfold increase in revenue growth when they have a strong culture (Forbes.com). Fostering a good company culture should be viewed as a fantastic opportunity for mutually beneficial gains for both employees and the business. 

The question then naturally arises: how does a company begin to improve its culture when using AI? Here are some of the potential benefits: 

Morale Boost

As companies outsource mundane, tedious, or repetitive tasks to AI software, employees can focus on work that truly motivates and interests them. This leads to a more positive outlook on daily work and greater autonomy to think creatively. An MIT Sloan survey showed that 75% of employees saw improvement in collaboration, team morale, and collective learning when they used ChatGPT (PRNewswire.com). Additionally, another study found a 14% increase in productivity after implementing AI-enabled tools in one of their processes (Forbes.com). Working smartly and utilizing AI tools not only improves employee output but also enhances their outlook on work.  

Growth Facilitation

AI is a great resource for companies looking to develop and improve. Continuous learning has never been easier with the ability to customize and build programs for key topics (both for internal culture and industry/service-wise) and to maintain a sense of innovation, pace, and expansion. AI tools can also augment ideation sessions by managing notes and progress, acting as a collaboration vessel to incorporate a wider array of voices, and providing data-driven insights like trend analysis and modeling to quickly digest and offer market information on proposals.  

Accessibility & Inclusion

Companies must provide a welcoming and adaptable environment for their employees. This is a foundational element of building a strong company culture and requires regular maintenance for the best outcomes. AI software holds numerous capabilities to assist, such as bias detection, language translation, voice recognition, captioning, and adaptive interfaces. AI also can enhance traditional DEI and culture training by making them more approachable accessible and engaging. Small adaptations like these are crucial for allowing employees to feel more connected to the company and ensuring their voices are valued.  

Human Connection

While this might seem paradoxical, deploying AI-enabled technologies can help form stronger personal connections among employees, deepening a company’s culture, particularly in this age of remote working and online meetings. For instance, XponentL has utilized AI to set up randomized monthly coffee chats between employees that foster cross-group interactions and help avoid the traditional hierarchical barriers that naturally occur at other companies. As a company grows, it remains essential that it continues to foster a community of people who respect and support one another towards shared goals and these tools help maintain the good parts of the intimate and personal culture approach to startup. 

 These are just but a few examples of the benefits, but it is clear that incorporating AI into a company’s culture unlocks a myriad of benefits that enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. By boosting morale, facilitating continuous learning, promoting accessibility and inclusion, and fostering human connections, AI serves as a powerful tool to cultivate a thriving, innovative, and supportive workplace. Embracing AI is not just about staying ahead in business; it’s about creating an environment where everyone can succeed and grow together, with additional benefits that would be harder to achieve otherwise.