Keeping People at the Centre of the AI Shift
Throughout history, there have been moments when an invention didn’t just improve how things were done, it changed the rules entirely. The steam engine, electricity, and the internet each marked a new era, triggering a seismic shift in how society operates. They didn’t just improve how we worked; they changed the very nature of work itself.
Today, artificial intelligence feels like another one of those moments. It’s a disruptive force which is taking us into a future that’s probably hard for us to fully imagine right now, but everything about it points to a landmark shift in how we live and work.
At Clarion, we’ve been quietly but deliberately exploring how AI might reshape our work; not just what we deliver, but how we deliver it. This article discusses how AI became so integrated into our daily lives, and how we, at Clarion, are addressing the topic of AI with a reflective, people-first approach. We also touch on why we believe that technology should enhance human contribution rather than replace it.
A Tipping Point?
First, let’s consider how AI has come about. It might feel as though this shift has happened overnight, but in truth, it’s been building for some time. AI hasn’t arrived with a big bang; it’s crept up on us one tool at a time. First on our phones, then in our browsers, now in the software we use every day. We’ve moved from talking about it to using it, often without noticing.
Sociologists talk about how change spreads through everyday conversations and relationships through what is sometimes called “weak ties”. Weak ties are connections to people we know casually, like colleagues in other teams or contacts in our wider network. While they may not be close relationships, they help new ideas spread more widely and more quickly (Granovetter, 1973). This was explored further in ‘The Tipping Point’ (Gladwell, 2000), which demonstrated how small shifts in behaviour shared informally between people can snowball into large scale change.
That’s what’s happened with AI. We’ve reached a tipping point. AI is no longer something that technical experts talk about: the shift has already happened. With this in mind, the question we should be asking ourselves now is: what will we choose to do with it? We need to start those conversations now.
Our Approach
So how are we approaching these conversations around AI at Clarion? We’ve started with a few simple but purposeful steps:
Running a series of internal workshops to explore practical AI use cases across all aspects of our business, from internal operations through to client delivery.
Drafting an AI policy that is grounded in trust, empowerment and accountability.
Encouraging experimentation and discovery to explore the art of the possible and identify what might make our work even more valuable.
We’re not rushing to adopt every new tool that appears. Instead, we’re focusing on the power of thoughtful questioning - because in times of change, asking the right questions is often more valuable than having the right answers. Effective questions open up a sense of possibility, they challenge assumptions, and, if framed correctly, help us focus on what really matters.
What Are We Asking, and What Are We Learning?
As we begin to engage with AI more intentionally, we’ve been asking ourselves some honest, and sometimes uncomfortable, questions:
What do I do that truly adds human value, especially in complex or ambiguous situations?
Where do I rely most on my judgement, empathy, creativity, or even ethical discernment?
What part of my role could, or should, be automated?
How might I change my role to focus more on what matters most?
What might I need to learn or adapt to stay effective and confident as things change?
From asking these questions, we’re already learning that AI is great at helping us to start something, but as a team we bring value in how we shape, challenge, and deliver. Some other reflections include:
The quality of any AI output is still largely dependent on the quality of the prompts.
The biggest impact will be cultural, not technical. Relationships, collaboration, conversations and a healthy dose of curiosity will continue to matter more than the tools themselves.
Making space for reflection is important to help teams move forward with clarity and purpose, rather than chasing the latest technology.
We’re trying to cut through the hype and focus on what really matters.
Conclusion
At Clarion, we’re focused on keeping people at the centre of any transformation, and this extends to the shift towards integrating AI into our ways of working. By asking practical questions and making space for reflection, we aim to reshape our roles in a way that makes the most of what AI can do, while staying true to the value that only people bring. This is about adapting thoughtfully and making sure we stay in control of the change. If you’re facing similar questions in your organisation, we’d be keen to share experiences and learn from each other.