How to Use AI Responsibly in the Workplace: Strategy, Ethics & People First

AI is quickly becoming part of everyday working life. From automating routine admin to generating content or analysing patterns, the potential productivity boost is undeniable. But while the hype is loud, the real value of AI lies in how intentionally and responsibly it is used.

At NARA Workplace Capability Consultancy, we support organisations to build capability that lasts. For AI, this means putting purpose and people before pressure and trend-chasing.

Rather than rushing in, we encourage businesses to start with a clear intention and responsible AI strategies. Ask: What problem are we trying to solve? AI can help with things like:

• Cutting back repetitive tasks

• Speeding up internal reporting

• Highlighting useful patterns in business data

• Improving responsiveness to clients or stakeholders

  
  

But it only works when someone owns the process. That means having a team member responsible for managing the tool, ensuring it delivers what it promises, and knowing its limits.

Another key consideration is data. AI is only as strong as the information it learns from. If your internal data is outdated, incomplete, or biased, so too will be your AI outputs. Before adopting tools, ask:

• Is our data current and accurate?

• Are we following privacy and ethical data standards?

• Do we understand how our AI tool handles, stores and protects our data?

  
  

Choosing the right tool matters too. The most effective AI is the one that fits your team’s way of working. It should integrate smoothly with your systems, be easy to use, and come with good vendor support. Watch for contract details like data ownership and storage locations.

Most importantly, AI adoption is never just a tech change, it is a people change. Communicating early and clearly with your team about the why and how behind your AI choices makes a huge difference. Training is essential, but just as important is creating a space where your team can ask questions and raise concerns.

Some tasks should never be fully automated. Ethics, fairness, human nuance. These must stay part of decision-making, especially when people are affected. Having clear internal principles for AI use helps: they don’t need to be complicated, just thoughtful.

Risks such as privacy breaches, misinformation, cybersecurity threats exist, but they are manageable. Add AI to your risk register. Review its impact regularly. And stay curious, because AI tools will keep evolving.

At NARA, we help organisations explore how AI can genuinely support their strategy, culture and people. That means building confidence, capability and clear governance, without losing sight of the human side of work.

If you’re exploring AI, or already using it but want to refine your approach, let’s have a conversation about what responsible, fit-for-purpose AI might look like in your workplace.