AI can improve business efficiencies and customer experience, but Mubesko Africa’s CEO Nico de Kock warns that employers will need to improve communication to employees as change rapidly unfolds.
“A 2025 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicated that about half of respondents were worried about how AI would be used in the workplace, and 33% were overwhelmed by the advent of AI. Just 29% feel excited.”
“Times of significant change in an organisation should be accompanied by extensive communication to employees”.
While it is likely that job losses or career changes can result from AI implementation, this is no different to when structural, technological or operation changes have been made. AI however has attracted more hype than normal organisational change.
“In times of change, cream rises to the top. Employees with an appetite for change come through and rise to the top. But that new energy – potential unleased – can come from people you’d least expect it from, often found in the 29% mentioned earlier. Your communication needs to resonate with them. They need to sense opportunity rather than threat.”
“Communication programmes must go beyond imparting information. It must recognise how people are feeling – overwhelmed, uncertain, excited – and talk to those emotions. Ultimately, communication must play in the space between machines and humanity”.
Nico de Kock
MD MUBESKO AFRICA
nico@mubesko.co.za
mubesko.co.za
Equally effective in the public and private sectors, Mubesko is a consulting practice offering financial accounting support and management solutions, asset accounting and modelling, and forensic services