In the fast-evolving realm of artificial intelligence (AI), the seismic shifts it promises in organizational operations are profound yet met with a palpable degree of skepticism and trepidation. Employers don’t know how employees are using AI, and employees don’t know how employers use, or intend to use AI. The essence of these reactions often hinges on a central emotion: trust. Addressing this trust void is not merely tactical—it’s foundational to harnessing AI’s potential effectively and ethically. In this context, founded in Anthropology, the study of humans, the BUNKA Ethnographic approach provides invaluable insights by focusing on understanding human behavior at its core to facilitate transformative AI adoption within organizations.
Why Start with an Anthropological Lens?
At the heart of the trust void lies a complex web of human emotions, fears, and expectations. The Anthropological lens, particularly through BUNKA’s Ethnographic process, seeks to decode these intricate human responses to technology. Understanding “why people feel the way they do about AI,”
shapes more than just policy—it allows the engineering of empathy and trust into the fabric of organizational culture. Our objective is to bring the BUNKA Mindset to your organization and help you propel your biggest strength, your people to new levels of ownership and performance.
Deep Dive into Organizational Culture
The first step in bridging the AI trust gap is to conduct a thorough cultural diagnosis. Using the BUNKA Ethnography™, we dissect layers of organizational behavior to unearth the intrinsic and extrinsic factors driving employees’ apprehension or acceptance of AI. Why do some see AI as a tool for empowerment, while others view it as a threat? Where do these perspectives originate from? What are the potential risks to a successful AI deployment? Deeply understanding these perspectives and the behaviors that drive them is crucial for tailoring solutions that focus on developing and building trust.
Continuous Engagement and Education
Education demystifies AI. By implementing ongoing learning programs tailored to different levels of AI literacy, derived from ethnographic insights, organizations can gradually dissolve fears and build a knowledgeable workforce that feels competent and prepared to work alongside AI systems.
Transparent Communication Strategies
Transparency is the cornerstone of trust. It’s essential that organizations clearly communicate not only how AI will be used but also how it will affect each stakeholder. Applying findings from ethnographic research, strategies can be developed to align AI initiatives with the organization’s core values,
addressing fears and building an inclusive narrative around AI.
Ethical AI Implementation
Ethnography helps us to recognize the ethical implications of AI that are most significant to specific cultural contexts within an organization. By prioritizing these concerns in AI deployment—from data privacy to decision-making transparency—companies can align their technical advancements with their ethical commitments, fostering a deeper trust in the technologies being adopted.
Transparent Communication Strategies
Transparency is the cornerstone of trust. It’s essential that organizations clearly communicate not only how AI will be used but also how it will affect each stakeholder. Applying findings from ethnographic research, strategies can be developed to align AI initiatives with the organization’s core values, addressing fears and building an inclusive narrative around AI.
