Our managing directors Dr. Claudia Neusüß and Katrin Unger have started the compassorange learning journey on the topic of artificial intelligence. It kicked off with a trip to the Kurpfalz region to the pioneer laboratory “Organizational development meets artificial intelligence – practice-oriented perspectives on the future”, organized by isb Wiesloch.
First impressions:
Ambivalence – the new normal: AI offers so many opportunities (“overestimated in the short term and underestimated in the long term”) and risks at the same time. This oscillation between “Wow, what’s possible!” and “Wow, what impact does that have (on the job market, for data protection, in the ecological balance…)?” was noticeable throughout the entire event. What can AI already do today, what will it be able to do tomorrow – and where are people still needed to bring context, creativity and strategy into play? (Thorsten Heilig) Where is organizational development needed (spoiler: everywhere) and do AI transformations differ from other change topics? Conclusion: they are more drastic.
Concrete and practical: How can AI support coaching and make it more widely accessible (Anouk Harde & Carolin Schwarz)? How can it facilitate and improve participation in organizations? Particularly exciting from a diversity perspective: e.g. the role of AI as a mediator and translator (e.g. into simple language, supporting communication in multilingual contexts).
New skills for new times : AI challenges us. Not just technically, but also in the way we think, design and deal with these new possibilities. That is exciting – and frightening. The question certainly does arise: where do we perhaps consciously not want to use AI?
The human factor is the focus: Despite all the technology, the support of change projects / change management and increasingly interdisciplinary cooperation remain essential or are becoming more important. Because transformation always means taking people seriously with all their feelings, worries and concerns and addressing uncertainties both with regard to the expected results of AI projects and the effects on one’s own (gainful) work situation / organization. Transparency is required.
Critical questions and ethics (Dr. Daniel Dietzfelbinger & Dr. Andreas Grabenstein): Who actually feeds the AI with which data and what impact does it have on the results? How does it influence our behavior and our perception?
In addition to exciting discussions (thanks to Jan Saathoff, Stefanie Bathen, Dr. Dorothea Varlam), there was also the opportunity to get to know specific tools and applications and to try them out selectively.
We look forward to more!
PS This text is a human/machine cooperation:-).
