Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, transforming organisations at an unprecedented pace. Yet, with its immense potential comes an undercurrent of anxiety. Will AI take over jobs? Will humans become obsolete in the face of such superior technologies? While these concerns are valid, they do not have to be paralysing.

At the People Matters Tech HR Singapore conference, Jackson Ng, COO & CTO of Azimut Investment Management, tackled these pressing fears head-on in his keynote session. His compelling insights provided a strategic roadmap for business leaders to embrace AI confidently, balancing technological progress with human-centric leadership.

Why does AI stimulate anxiety?

Jackson discussed how the fear surrounding AI stems mainly from two factors: control and uncertainty. When change seems unpredictable and rapid, leaders and employees struggle to keep up. AI’s ability to automate tasks and elevate decision-making processes raises fundamental questions about the future and integrity of work. However, Jackson remarked that AI’s impact isn’t solely limited to disruption—it’s about empowerment.

Mind for impact: Rethinking AI’s role

AI must be perceived as an enabler rather than a replacement. To mitigate fear, organisations must foster an innovation-first mindset, where AI is seen as the key to augmentation, not merely automation. To leverage AI and accrue its utmost potential, some key strategies include:

• Rethinking AI as a strategic partner: Instead of building concerns over job loss, the focus must be on job evolution — leveraging AI to enhance decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Upskilling with purpose: AI must create a space for human talent to thrive. Investing in AI literacy at every level ensures employees transition seamlessly into higher-value roles.
• Experimentation over fear: Fear stems from the unknown. Fostering a culture of experimentation—where AI-driven solutions are tested and refined, helps organisations build a resilient muscle. 

Heart for impact: Keeping humans at the core

Beyond innovation, AI’s integration must be guided by ethical leadership and human-centric values. Jackson highlighted three fundamental leadership elements to helm AI in creating a sustainable impact:

• Trust and transparency: Leaders must be upfront about AI’s role in decision-making and curating key business strategies.
• Empathy in automation: AI must be deployed with a focus on enhancing the human experience, not merely efficiency. Whether it’s AI-driven HR processes or chatbots, the human connection must remain at the heart of all operations.
• Shared ownership: Embracing AI must be a collective effort, rather than a leadership mandate. Ensuring employees are an integral part of the AI adoption process fosters a sense of control and accountability, consequently reducing resistance.

From anxiety to action

While the AI revolution is inevitable, its impact truly depends on how organisations harness it with both empathy and intelligence. As Jackson aptly highlighted, “AI is not just about machines making decisions—it’s about how we, as humans, choose to shape the future.”

By embracing a mind for innovation and a heart for impact, organisations can transform the anxiety associated with AI into an advantage, ensuring that technology serves humanity—and not the other way around.