Generative AI in the workplace: five key steps to get employees onboard

Generative AI in the workplace: five key steps to get employees onboard

GoodBlog | read time: 7 min

Published: 10 June 2025

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, companies face varying challenges when integrating AI into the workplace. The right approach to take can seem elusive; being too rigid in trying to govern its use may stifle innovation, but being too relaxed can lead to uncertainty about expectations – as well as potential compliance risks. So, for businesses to successfully integrate AI, it’s important to strike the right balance; but how can this be achieved? 

 While AI has been used for large-scale data analysis for some time, the emergence of generative AI marks a notable expansion of its use into creative and interactive applications, with tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot gaining widespread traction since their introduction in 2022 and 2023 respectively. However, with this growth comes new challenges that organisations must navigate carefully. 

How are companies using generative AI?

But what exactly is generative AI, and what is it used for? At its core, generative AI refers to a type of artificial intelligence capable of creating content, such as text, images, audio, and videos, based on open-source information. What sets it apart from non-generative models of AI is its ability to continually adapt and refine its outputs based on the input it receives, improving over time. 

The use of AI in organisations has grown significantly in recent years, with one study revealing that over 82% of companies are either using or exploring the use of AI. At the same time, this expansion brings a range of concerns that require careful attention. As businesses integrate AI into their workplaces, employees are raising important questions about its impact on their roles and broader implications on the company. Job displacement is often cited as a top concern here, however issues such as data privacy, the potential for bias and inaccurate information also come into play. There is also growing disquiet about the lack of regulation surrounding its use, issues of accountability, and the increasing difficulty of distinguishing AI-generated content from human-created work.  

Considering these concerns, it is important to note that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to AI adoption. While some companies may choose to embrace AI extensively across operations, others may adopt a more measured or cautious approach depending on their specific context and appetite for risk. What is crucial here is that,that no matter what path the organisation chooses to take, decisions surrounding AI use are communicated clearly and transparently to employees, with actionable steps being taken to engage and support them throughout the integration process. 

Addressing AI risks in the workplace

While addressing employee concerns companies surrounding job security and the use of AI is essential, companies may also want to consider the broader ethical and compliance challenges that integrating AI may raise. Organisations need to ensure personal data is protected, outputs are free from bias and content is generated transparently. Without the right safeguards, businesses risk breaching privacy laws such as GDPR, spreading misinformation or reinforcing discriminatory patters.  

To mitigate these risks, businesses should consider implementing clear governance frameworks that define roles, responsibilities and appropriate use. Doing so will not only help maintain compliance as regulatory expectations evolve, but also reassure employees that AI is being adopted responsibly. 

Securing employee buy– in is essential. Without it, efforts to implement AI may meet resistance or fall short of their potential. A structured approach that addresses both employee concerns and broader compliance requirements is therefore essential to lay the groundwork for successful implementation. The following five steps provide a strong starting point.  

Five key steps to get employees on board with AI: 

1. Establish leadership commitment  

In our experience, establishing clear leadership commitment when introducing generative AI in the workplace is essential, not only to guide AI adoption but also to navigate the ethical and operational complexities that come with it. A strong tone from the top supports consistency across the organisation and helps to signal that the adoption of AI is a considered and strategic decision, rather than an add-on for employees to use at their own discretion. 

Strong leadership can help to build a critical bridge between AI transparency and employee trust, which may support a smoother transition and more considered adoption of change. To put this commitment into practice, it is advisable to define and communicate a clear position on AI use, outlining where and how generative tools may be applied, as well as any boundaries that should be observed. This should form part of a broader AI governance framework that can evolve with the organisation’s digital transformation. 

To take this one step further, organisations should also consider appointing senior leaders or a cross-functional steering group to oversee AI implementation. This can help maintain consistency and ensure that AI use aligns with broader business objectives, while also giving employees somewhere to turn should they have any queries or concerns. 

 2. Be transparent about AI’s role in the workplace

Being transparent about the role of generative AI in the workplace is essential for encouraging its responsible adoption and building trust between the organisation and its employees. This starts by clearly defining how and why AI will be integrated into business activities. 

However, before setting out its future role, organisations can benefit from first gaining insight into how AI is already being used. This not only enables them to identify where it is having a positive impact, but also where greater caution or support may be needed. Understanding current usage helps lay the groundwork for an effective AI policy framework and can support more informed change management strategies. 

To support this, GoodCorporation offers a self-assessment questionnaire to help organisations understand current AI usage and highlight areas where further guidance may be required. Once this has been established, companies can then move forward to define AI’s ongoing purpose more clearly and focus on demonstrating its benefit and relevance to employees, whether that is improving efficiency, enhancing decision-making or supporting innovation. 

By tying these potential benefits directly to employee experience and operational goals, organisations can more effectively encourage responsible AI adoption, while remaining mindful of the limits and risks involved at different levels of application. 

With this foundation in place, we recommend that organisation’s make space for open dialogue by creating opportunities for discussion. Workshops, Q&A sessions and structured feedback channels are effective means by which employees can voice their concerns, ask questions and engage with the potential risks and benefits of AI. All of this should be encouraged. 

3. Provide training and upskilling

Once the role of generative AI in the workplace has been established, the next step for organisations is to equip employees with the knowledge and skills needed to use these programmes confidently and responsibly. Providing practical training and upskilling opportunities helps ensure those engaging with AI tools understand not only how to use them effectively, but also how to do so in line with the organisation’s expectations and any relevant AI policies. 

Connecting generative AI directly to upskilling can help to position AI as a potential long-term asset, rather than a short-term threat, though this requires ongoing attention to ethical use and workforce impact. It is vital that employees feel both empowered and informed, particularly as the pace of technological change continues to accelerate. Hands-on training can help build this confidence, while also encouraging the thoughtful and ethical application of AI in day-to-day business activities. 

GoodCorporation offers a range of training services that support organisations in developing a responsible approach, whether delivered company-wide or tailored to specific functions and the risks they face. Our training promotes open discussion about how AI is used, explores the risks and limitations, and highlights the ethical considerations that should shape AI use in the workplace.

4. Highlight AI’s role in enhancing career growth and future-proofing jobs

As organisations integrate AI into the workplace, no matter the level of adoption, it is important to emphasise how it has the potential to support career development and help future-proof jobs. While concerns about job security are common, employees should be encouraged to view AI as a tool to enhance their work, not replace it.  

When AI adoption is tied to employee development plans, it strengthens both retention and resilience across teams. By building the skills needed to work effectively alongside AI, individuals can take on more strategic, creative, or analytical responsibilities. This expands their capabilities and opens new opportunities for growth.  

Based on our expertise, framing AI adoption as one possible route to long-term development, rather than displacement, can help foster a more positive mindset and builds a more adaptable, resilient workforce. 

5. Provide clear guidance on how AI should be used

Even with training and leadership support, uncertainty around when and how to use generative AI can lead to hesitation or misuse. Many concerns stem not from resistance, but from a lack of clarity. Employees may be unsure which tasks are appropriate for AI, what risks to look out for, or how to use these tools in a way that aligns with the organisation’s ethical and compliance standards. 

Providing clear, practical guidance on responsible use through a comprehensive AI policy is essential to ensure employees know when and how to use AI tools appropriately and in line with ethical and compliance standards. 

This might include outlining approved use cases, setting boundaries around sensitive tasks and offering examples of good practice. The policy should be embedded within a broader responsible AI governance framework to help model accountability and continuous learning. With the right guardrails in place, employees are more likely to use AI responsibly and effectively, contributing to a consistent and considered approach across the business. 

Key takeaways

Incorporating generative AI into the workplace may offer valuable opportunities, but it requires careful planning and thoughtful implementation to ensure it is used responsibly and ethically. By establishing clear leadership commitment, being transparent about AI’s role, providing robust training and upskilling, highlighting AI’s potential to enhance career growth, and offering clear guidance on its use, organisations can foster a culture of trust and empowerment. 

With the right approach, employees can confidently engage with AI tools, knowing they are being used to support their work in line with ethical and compliance standards. As AI continues to shape the future of business, organisations that prioritise responsible adoption will not only drive innovation but also safeguard the long-term success and wellbeing of their teams. 

How GoodCorporation can help

Embedding AI into the workplace in a way that is ethical, transparent and aligned with organisational values requires more than a one-off strategy; It demands an ongoing commitment to dialogue, education and good governance. As technologies evolve, organisations should keep the conversation going, regularly reviewing and adjusting AI strategies in response to employee feedback while providing clear channels for ongoing questions and learning. Organisations should also keep up to date with evolving regulatory frameworks, such as the EU AI Act, which seek to govern the ethical use of AI and mitigate potential harms. 

Our Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework provides structured guidance on responsible AI use, helping businesses to integrate AI in line with ethical, legal and compliance standards. This framework also supports change management and aligns with broader digital transformation goals, ensuring responsible use as technologies evolve. 

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