Can AI Unlock a More Human Workplace?

Much of today’s conversation about generative AI (GenAI) and the future of work swings between two extremes: existential dread or breathless optimism.

GenAI critics often focus on loss—of jobs, professional relevance, or even the qualities that make us uniquely human. AI evangelists, on the other hand, predict humans will be replaced by artificial general intelligence (AGI), overlooking the critical point that intelligence—human or machine—only matters through its impact.

Both extremes miss the real opportunity. Narrowly framing GenAI in terms of this dichotomy obscures the technology’s true potential as a catalyst for expanding human capabilities. When thoughtfully designed and implemented, GenAI can help people learn faster, think more creatively, and grow in ways that were once out of reach.

How Technology Can Fuel Human Growth

Humans are naturally designed to grow. Psychology and neuroscience show that we develop new strengths when we face challenges—and that our brains remain capable of learning and evolving throughout life. GenAI, when applied with intention, can contribute to this process, helping people stretch beyond their current capabilities.

History shows that disruption often leads to progress. The printing press sparked a literacy revolution. The internet expanded access to knowledge. GenAI could be the next leap, freeing people from repetitive tasks and enabling more strategic, creative, and meaningful work.

5 Ways GenAI Can Expand Human Potential

Psychologists Gabriella Kellerman and Martin Seligman’s PRISM framework outlines five psychological capabilities that help people thrive in change. GenAI can support the development of each:

• Prospection: Use GenAI to simulate future scenarios and improve decision-making. GenAI can help people visualize long-term goals, explore career paths, and anticipate challenges by modeling different outcomes. This kind of “mental time travel” supports better planning and more intentional choices. - Try this prompt: “Act as my future self 5 years from now. Describe a typical day in my life after a career shift.”
• Resilience: Reframe tough moments with GenAI as a neutral sounding board. When facing workplace stress or conflict, GenAI can prompt reflection, offer alternative perspectives, and help users reframe their thinking. This builds emotional agility and supports adaptive responses. - Try this prompt: “Here’s what happened in a meeting—what might I be missing?”
• Imagination: GenAI can boost creativity, especially for those who don’t see themselves as creative. By generating novel ideas and challenging conventional thinking, GenAI can unlock new ways of solving problems. It’s especially helpful for brainstorming, prototyping, and divergent thinking. - Try this prompt: “Give me 5 unconventional ways to make meetings more engaging.”
• Social Support: AI can help craft empathetic messages and foster inclusive behaviors. GenAI can guide users in expressing care, navigating sensitive conversations, and building stronger relationships—especially in moments when words are hard to find. - Try this prompt: “A friend is going through burnout. What can I say or do to support them?”
• Meaning: By automating the mundane, GenAI can let people focus on purpose. It can help users reflect on their values, define their personal mission, and align their work with what matters most, turning daily tasks into meaningful contributions. - Try this prompt: “Help me write a personal mission statement based on my values and goals.”

Why GenAI Success Starts with Leadership

Korn Ferry research shows that by 2030, human capital will outpace physical capital in value. GenAI can either elevate or erode that potential, depending on how leaders choose to use it.

Leaders need to ask themselves:

• Are we using GenAI to amplify what people do best or to replace it?
• How can GenAI help people grow, not just perform?
• What systems and cultures are needed to support this shift?
• How do we build human-augmenting AI agents into the flow of work?

Ultimately, the question isn’t how smart machines will become, but how much more fully human we’re willing to let ourselves be.

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To find out how Korn Ferry is helping clients unleash potential through AI, learn more about our Workforce Transformation capabilities.