What’s the future of artificial intelligence in your workplace?

While most workplaces are not using artificial intelligence, the technology is getting attention and raising some concerns, a recent Top Workplaces survey shows.

Workplaces are bringing human resources technology and AI onboard. While organizations are embracing HR tech solutions, Top Workplaces research reveals that AI adoption remains relatively low. That said, AI holds immense potential, from streamlining operations to enabling data-driven decision-making and unlocking valuable insights.

In the big picture, AI is the use of computing to perform tasks normally carried out by people. It most often refers to projects that capture information and deliver it in a way that simulates actions, purpose, reasoning, meaning, or learning. AI is used in manufacturing (think robots), self-driving cars, health care management, financial investing, booking travel, social media monitoring and chatbots.

In human resources, AI can be used for things such as scanning resumes, social listening, data aggregation, background checks, measuring employee satisfaction, optimizing benefit offerings and a host of other uses.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to use AI to make people’s jobs easier or better, so they can concentrate more of their time and efforts on higher-level tasks, or things they just enjoy doing more,” said Kinsey Smith, senior people scientist at Energage.

Energage recently surveyed more than 15,000 employees to get their feedback on HR technology and AI. The survey revealed 1 in 6 employees is concerned about AI impacting their work, especially those who work in advertising and marketing; hospitality, entertainment, recreation and travel; and financial services and insurance.

Furthermore, 1 in 9 employees believes AI may replace their job in the next five years, particularly in utilities and communications; hospitality, entertainment, recreation and travel; and financial services and insurance.

Smith says the best use of AI should be seen as a resource that supplements work, not something that supplants workers. AI can be a springboard for more thoughtful strategies and conversations, for example.

“It’s just a tool,” Smith said, and it’s up to organizations to figure out the best uses, and the wrong uses, of that tool.