In offices around the world, a quiet transformation is underway. Your employees—whether in marketing, finance, or product development—are increasingly leveraging AI tools to enhance their productivity and creativity. This phenomenon is creating a "cyborg workforce," where humans and machines work hand in hand, often without leaders fully realizing it.
A concept I discuss in my new book “How to Survive and Thrive in 2025” A guide for leaders in the times of AI. You can sign up to get a free download of this book here in Jan.
But only up until January 28th, as this goes on sale on January 29th. RRP. £29.99. This book talks about the shift happening in companies due to AI.
A subject I do keynote speeches on for a variety of companies. Understanding the signs of this shift can help leaders harness the benefits of AI while mitigating potential risks. Is your team or company ready for the year of #AI next year? Take the Artificial Intelligence Maturity Survey to find out.
And for now. Here are five telltale indicators that your workforce is becoming cyborg-like, along with actionable strategies to adapt and thrive.
1. Productivity Surges in Key Areas
You notice some employees are completing tasks faster and with better accuracy than ever before. Marketing emails are written in half the time, financial reconciliations are error-free, and customer service teams resolve queries with record speed.
The Cause: Employees are quietly using AI tools like Grammarly for writing, ChatGPT for ideation, or Tableau for data visualization.
What to Do:
- Conduct a survey to identify the AI tools your team is already using.
- Offer training sessions to ensure everyone understands how to use these tools effectively.
- Create a list of approved AI platforms to standardize usage and reduce risks.
Remember - we offer such training sessions through our training company Great Marketing Works with Dan Sodergren.
2. Data-Driven Decisions Without a Data Team
Decisions are increasingly backed by data, even in departments without dedicated analysts. Teams may reference detailed reports or trend forecasts they’ve generated independently.
The Cause: Tools like Google Analytics, Power BI, or even AI-driven market research platforms are becoming common.
What to Do:
- Promote AI literacy by hosting workshops on data ethics and interpretation.
- Establish a central governance policy to standardize data handling and analysis processes.
- Encourage collaboration between AI-savvy employees and data teams to maintain accuracy and consistency.
Data is a whole subject for the new book - available through the AI Leadership Course website
3. Decrease in Routine Errors
Repetitive and error-prone tasks, such as data entry or scheduling, now have far fewer mistakes. Employees deliver consistently higher quality work on these fronts.
The Cause: Automation tools and AI systems are taking over mundane tasks, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency.
What to Do:
- Acknowledge the improvements and celebrate the team's innovative use of technology.
- Encourage employees to explore automation for other time-consuming tasks.
- Set up protocols to monitor AI-driven workflows to ensure reliability.
Is your team or company ready for the year of #AI next year? Take the Artificial Intelligence Maturity Survey to find out.
4. Inconsistent Writing Styles
An employee who typically writes formal, structured reports now produces creative, polished emails—or vice versa. This stylistic inconsistency may hint at AI writing assistants in play.
The Cause: Employees are using tools like Jasper, ChatGPT, or Grammarly for different types of communication.
What to Do:
- Create a unified tone and style guide to maintain consistency across all communications.
- Offer workshops on how to blend AI-generated content with personal writing to preserve authenticity.
- Review outputs to ensure AI-generated content aligns with your organization's voice.
This is really where you want to build your own technology using a chosen AI and your own data. Again something that I train companies and employees on doing (through my companies.)
5. Employees Sharing AI Hacks in Meetings
Team members mention "AI shortcuts" or casually drop tips about tools they’ve found helpful. Discussions about how to streamline work using AI tools are becoming commonplace.
The Cause: Employees are naturally innovating by integrating AI into their daily workflows.
What to Do:
- Harness this creativity by hosting monthly “AI Innovation Showcases” where employees share their discoveries.
- Form an internal AI task force to evaluate and recommend tools that could benefit the broader team.
- Use these sessions to gather feedback and address any concerns about AI's impact on roles or workload.
Is your team or company ready for the year of #AI next year?
Take the Artificial Intelligence Maturity Survey to find out.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Cyborg Workforce
The cyborg workforce isn’t coming—it’s already here. As AI continues to integrate into the workplace, leaders have a unique opportunity to guide their teams in embracing this technology responsibly. By recognizing these signs and taking proactive steps, you can harness the power of AI while preserving the uniquely human qualities that drive innovation and connection.
If you’re ready to take your leadership skills to the next level in this AI-driven world, explore more actionable strategies at www.aileadershipcourse.com. Empower your team—and yourself—to thrive in the future of work.
Is your team or company ready for the year of #AI next year?
Take the Artificial Intelligence Maturity Survey to find out.