Cisco's HR chief said the 'worst thing' companies can do is pile more work on employees after AI saves time

As organizations begin to integrate AI into their daily operations, concerns are rising about the impact on employee workloads. Kelly Jones, Cisco's Chief People Officer, emphasizes that the most detrimental action companies can take is to increase demands on their staff after they have adopted AI technologies. During a discussion with Business Insider, Jones highlighted the importance of fostering innovation during the early stages of AI implementation. She cautioned that while businesses often report productivity improvements, this doesn't necessarily translate to shorter work hours for employees. For instance, a Microsoft manager noted that AI tools reduced his coding time by 70%, yet his overall workload remained unchanged. Many corporate leaders promote the idea that AI can liberate employees' schedules, allowing them to focus on more meaningful tasks. However, this vision often overlooks the reality that workers may not gain additional free time. Instead, they are frequently given more tasks to complete. Jones argues that for AI adoption to be successful, it must be positioned as a resource that helps employees reclaim valuable time, rather than another responsibility to manage. She believes that companies often misstep by presenting new tasks instead of emphasizing the time-saving benefits that AI can offer. While the traditional 9-to-5 workday might not see significant changes, some employees are finding ways to optimize their schedules with AI assistance. For example, one worker shared that he was able to complete nearly half of his software engineering responsibilities using AI, leaving him with time to browse social media. Jones insists that if employees are achieving better results in less time, it should be viewed positively. However, she acknowledges that understanding how to utilize this reclaimed time remains a complex challenge. In the coming years, HR will need to focus on redefining job roles and determining the balance between human and AI contributions. "We are at a pivotal moment where we will transition from merely managing jobs to redesigning work altogether," Jones stated. She noted that HR’s evolving role will involve guiding organizations on how to effectively integrate AI into their workflows and clarify the division of tasks between humans and machines.