Who’s Really in the Driver’s Seat at Your Company: Your Boss or a Bot?
AI in the Workplace: Supporting Managers, Not Replacing Them
AI chatbots are becoming a go-to tool for instant fact-checks, yet their answers often contain misinformation. In many organizations, managers rely on AI to make high‑stakes decisions—raises, promotions, even layoffs—without the formal training, ethical guardrails, or human oversight those choices demand.
What AI really does
Today’s artificial intelligence is a misnomer. It is a form of machine learning that can efficiently review databases and make logical assumptions. While AI can perform tasks that seem to require human intelligence—like learning and problem‑solving—it does so through complex algorithms and data processing rather than genuine understanding or consciousness.
Betterworks’ perspective
Doug Dennerline, CEO of Betterworks explains the risk of letting AI drive core HR decisions:
- “Managers face bigger teams, more complexity, and less time. AI can help them rise to the challenge, but only if introduced with intention.”
- “If we let AI decide promotions or terminations without human judgment, we hollow out the very leadership capabilities we need to build.”
Dennerline adds that business leaders should ask: Are we using AI to elevate great talent, or to avoid investing in it? The true value of AI emerges when you give your workforce tools, freedom to experiment, and clarity on how it can make them exponentially more effective—delivering better business outcomes, not just better optics.
How to apply AI responsibly
Dennerline clarifies that AI should strengthen management, not sideline it. The best use cases involve:
- Prompting timely check‑ins.
- Helping craft better feedback.
- Identifying coaching opportunities.
“Managers don’t need AI to replace them; they need it to support them.”
Investing in middle managers
Jamie Aitken, VP of HR Transformation at Betterworks explains that the problem is not middle managers, but underinvesting in them.
Aitken states:
- “Eliminating or overloading middle managers isn’t the answer; equip them with tools and support so they can thrive in this transformation.”
- “The return on investing in their growth—and their ability to use AI meaningfully—far outweighs the short‑term appeal of flattening.”
As AI takes over repetitive administrative tasks, managers should be freed to focus on what truly matters: supporting the growth, performance, and long‑term success of their teams. But remember: AI is a tool, not a decision‑maker. People‑related decisions demand human elements like empathy, ethical judgment, and transparency.
