EDITORIAL AI
encourage more employees to share their own AI teachings.
Thirdly, the benefits of creating a trusted environment where teams feel supported to try new technologies are clear. Desk workers who feel trusted by their employers are 94 % more likely to have tried AI for work-related tasks.
This explains why at Dreamforce 2024, Salesforce announced plans to expand access to skilling opportunities with free AI training for anyone. The company will waive all fees for its paid instructor-led courses and credentialing through the end of 2025, totalling an anticipated $ 52 million investment.
To support these efforts, Salesforce will open new spaces at its San Francisco headquarters, including a pop-up AI Centre for in-person community AI training courses, and dedicated floor for employees to skill up on AI tools and agents... Salesforce’ s new offerings will help skill up the workforce to address this AI skills gap and set up workers for success now— and in the future.
Across the company, Salesforce is helping upskill its 72 000 employees by introducing global quarterly AI learning days to give employees hands-on time with the latest AI innovations.
Employers must evolve to help employees thrive in the AI-driven future.
Redefining success in the AI era
As we build a culture of experimentation and encourage people to find ways to improve work with AI, we also have to change how we measure impact.
Rather than tracking productivity through activity metrics like time spent on tasks, we should focus on outcome-based metrics, such as customer satisfaction and innovative product development. This shift encourages employees to move beyond busywork and leverage their creativity and tools to achieve meaningful results.
As AI innovation and workplaces continue to change fast, employers must evolve to help employees— and ultimately their customers— be successful. Ensuring employees collect different experiences, skills, networks, and expertise with AI will allow them to thrive in the AI-driven future. ■
Making AI work for workers requires leaders reimagining how they develop and train every part of their organisation. Three key actions leaders can take to encourage AI adoption are:
• Creating a culture of continuous learning
• Giving visibility to use cases of AI
• Encouraging experimentation
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