Uli Blum analyzes a schematic produce by ZHAI, his firm’s unit devoted to using AI to rethink work spaces, at the headquarters of Zaha Hadid Architects in London, on June 5, 2023.JEREMIE SOUTEYRAT/The New York Times News Service
Chris Barry is the president of Microsoft Canada.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how organizations operate, moving beyond automating tasks to becoming a strategic partner in the workforce. At Microsoft, we view AI not just as a tool, but as a partner that enables employees to focus on more strategic and creative work. By handling repetitive tasks, AI can empower employees to contribute at a higher level, transforming traditional hierarchies and fostering greater collaboration and innovation across organizations.
AI as a catalyst for organizational change
Historically, organizations have depended on rigid hierarchies, with senior leaders making strategic decisions and early-career employees more focused on operational work. AI is disrupting this structure. Data from our 2024 Work Trend Index has shown that AI can empower employees at all levels to take on higher-value projects by automating routine tasks. This shift enables companies to adopt more agile, decentralized structures where employees are empowered to contribute strategically.
AI accelerates decision-making, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that often slow organizations down. By reducing operational delays, employees can act with greater agility, allowing businesses to respond more effectively to changing market conditions.
Empowering the workforce with AI
AI is not just a tool — it’s a collaborator that supports employees in their day-to-day roles. At Microsoft, we’ve developed frameworks that embed AI into the heart of organizational operations, ensuring that every employee has access to the resources they need to thrive in an AI-driven environment.
Our approach emphasizes that when AI takes on repetitive, data-driven tasks, employees can focus on higher-order work such as relationship-building, problem-solving and creative innovation. Microsoft’s AI success framework highlights the importance of providing clear operating models and fostering a culture of continuous learning to ensure that employees can fully leverage AI’s capabilities.
This shift also aligns with our findings that employees, when relieved of mundane tasks, are more engaged in higher-order thinking and innovation. AI opens up opportunities for everyone to contribute more meaningfully to an organization’s success, driving both individual and collective growth.
Flattening hierarchies to drive innovation
AI also plays a critical role in driving innovation by flattening organizational hierarchies. As AI supports with many routine tasks, teams can collaborate more freely, encouraging greater innovation and agility. A study from MIT Sloan has shown that generative AI can boost productivity by as much as 40 per cent for highly skilled workers, a testament to the transformative impact of AI in the workplace.
This increase in productivity allows businesses to rethink rigid management structures and embrace a more team-driven approach. As a result, every employee, regardless of their level, has the opportunity to contribute strategically.
Building a future-ready organization
Successfully integrating AI requires more than just technology; it necessitates a culture that values experimentation, continuous learning and flexibility. Organizations must establish clear operating models that allow AI to deliver sustainable value. Upskilling employees is also key to ensuring they can thrive in an AI-enhanced environment.
Leaders who champion innovation and collaboration will be best positioned to harness AI’s full potential, building an agile and future-ready organization that can adapt to an increasingly complex world.
Embracing the future of work
As AI becomes more deeply integrated into the workforce, it offers organizations the opportunity to rethink traditional structures. AI’s ability to support strategic work allows companies to flatten hierarchies, empowering employees at all levels to contribute more creatively and meaningfully.
Businesses that embrace AI as a partner in enhancing human potential will unlock new levels of productivity, collaboration and innovation, positioning themselves as leaders in tomorrow’s workforce.
This column is part of Globe Careers’ Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about the world of work. Find all Leadership Lab stories at tgam.ca/leadershiplab and guidelines for how to contribute to the column here.