Episode 268: Artificial intelligence promises to transform the workplace by eliminating tedious tasks, increasing productivity and freeing employees to focus on more important work. But what happens when the pursuit of efficiency begins to undermine the very things that make a job rewarding?
In this episode of “The Ethical Life,” hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada explore how AI is changing workplace culture and why the biggest challenges may have less to do with technology than with trust, relationships and the development of human expertise.
Rada begins by recalling his first newsroom in the 1990s, when a single computer connected to the internet seemed sufficient for an entire staff. Today, working without the internet would be almost unimaginable. He argues that AI may be following a similar path, quickly moving from an optional novelty to an essential workplace skill.
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But Kyte worries that companies are moving too quickly to embrace AI without considering the consequences for their employees.
The hosts discuss why workplace culture matters so much during periods of technological change. Employees need more than efficient systems and clear instructions. They also need meaningful relationships, opportunities for advancement and confidence that their contributions matter.
The conversation takes a practical turn as Rada describes using AI to negotiate a better satellite radio subscription rate and shares details about an AI-powered support tool he's developing to help newsroom editors find answers to everyday questions. Both examples demonstrate how technology can eliminate frustrating tasks. But Kyte raises an important distinction: Removing sources of dissatisfaction doesn't necessarily create job satisfaction.
The hosts also examine a potentially troubling consequence of automation: What happens to the next generation of workers when AI takes over the entry-level tasks that traditionally helped employees develop expertise?
Experienced professionals didn't acquire their judgment overnight. They spent years learning, making mistakes and gradually assuming greater responsibilities. If machines perform much of that foundational work, where will tomorrow's experts come from?
And what responsibilities do employees have in return? If companies provide training and support, is learning to use AI simply part of adapting to a changing workplace?
Throughout the discussion, Rada and Kyte consider whether businesses can embrace technological progress without sacrificing the human relationships and professional development that sustain a healthy workplace.
Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)." This article was prepared with the help of AI technology using information collected and verified by journalists.
