- Posted on 5 Jun 2025
- 2min 30sec read
A new report from the Human Technology Institute (HTI) at the University of Technology Sydney reveals how organisations can benefit from actively involving workers in decisions about the design and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI).
Research shows that organisations that engage workers in the design, development and use of AI systems achieve better outcomes for the organisation and their workers. Meaningful worker engagement is critical for organisations wanting to realise the 37% productivity gains projected from AI over the next decade.
Involving workers in how AI is implemented helps organisations surface practical opportunities and hidden challenges, leading to better solutions.
“Yet few organisations have effective, structured mechanisms for worker engagement on AI. As a result, workers are often disconnected from critical technology decisions that directly affect them, putting both successful AI implementation and good governance at risk.”
Building on HTI’s Invisible Bystander research into how Australian workers are experiencing the impact of AI and automation, this new report provides a practical roadmap to help organisations engage workers at every stage of the AI journey. The report was developed by Meredith Caldwell, Niels Wouters, Llewellyn Spink and Prof Nicholas Davis.
How organisations can effectively engage workers on AI
- In-depth interviews to uncover valuable insights into lived experiences, workflows, and how AI is affecting daily work.
- Engaging surveys to assess overall workforce sentiment, identify emerging needs, and gather actionable feedback from large or distributed teams.
- Collective brainstorming to tap into diverse perspectives and generate innovative ideas.
- Co-design workshops that leverage worker expertise to refine, test and validate AI solutions.
Organisations that adopt clear and structured approaches to worker engagement will be best placed to unlock the full benefits of AI, including improving outcomes, building trust, and navigating change effectively.