Infosys and MIT Technology Review Insights reveal that 83% of business leaders believe psychological safety impacts AI initiatives. The report, “Creating Psychological Safety in the AI Era,” highlights how fear of failure hinders AI adoption despite investments. Building trust and open communication are as crucial as deploying advanced systems. Clarity on AI’s impact and leadership openness are key drivers for success, with 60% emphasizing clear communication and 51% highlighting leadership modeling.
Psychological Safety & AI Initiatives
A new report by Infosys and MIT Technology Review Insights indicates that psychological safety significantly impacts the success of enterprise AI initiatives. According to the report, 83% of business leaders recognize this direct correlation. The study emphasizes that creating a safe environment in the age of AI requires more than just well-intentioned policies; it demands clear communication and defined AI use cases.
Key Findings of the Report
The report, titled “Creating Psychological Safety in the AI Era,” uncovers how employees often hesitate to experiment or challenge assumptions due to fear of negative repercussions, hindering innovation. Workplace fear, particularly fear of failure, remains a major obstacle despite substantial investments in AI.
Other key findings include:
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Impact on AI Projects: Over 83% of respondents say psychological safety has a measurable impact on the success of AI projects, with 84% reporting direct links to tangible business outcomes.
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Leaders’ Hesitation: Nearly 22% of respondents admitted they have hesitated to lead or suggest an AI project due to fear of failure or criticism.
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Communication is Key: 60% of respondents believe that clarity on how AI will impact jobs would improve psychological safety the most.
Expert Perspectives
Laurel Ruma, Global Editorial Director at MIT Technology Review Insights, stated, “Our research…shows that psychological safety is not a soft metric; it is a measurable driver of AI outcomes…even the most advanced AI strategies will falter.”
Rafee Tarafdar, Chief Technology Officer at Infosys, added, “We’ve observed that the most successful enterprise AI transformations happen in organizations that foster psychological safety…This culture of trust and openness enables teams to unlock the full potential of AI…”
Infosys’ Perspective
Sushanth Tharappan, Executive Vice President – HR at Infosys, remarked, “…this report confirms that enterprises must pair technical investment with cultural transformation if they want AI to deliver lasting impact.” The company emphasizes the importance of building a culture of innovation where employees feel empowered to experiment and reimagine roles, streamlining technological advancements.
Source: BSE
