In today’s workplace, AI is like cruise control in a car—a powerful tool when used correctly, but risky if used where human oversight is still essential.
At Productivity Advocates, we help organizations figure out where AI can actually enhance productivity—and where automation could cause more harm than good. Here’s a clear framework: three tasks you should automate, and three you shouldn’t.
✅ 3 Smart Uses of AI in the Workplace You Should Automate
1. Meeting Summaries & Transcriptions
If your team is still manually taking meeting notes, it’s time to upgrade. Tools like Otter.ai, Fireflies, or Microsoft Teams’ built-in features can automatically transcribe meetings and summarize key takeaways.
Why it works:
- Saves time
- Reduces note-taking fatigue
- Increases alignment and accountability
We help clients recognize opportunities like these during our workplace diagnostics, so they can use tech to support—not distract—their team.
2. Routine Reports & Dashboards
Compiling weekly metrics? Automate it. AI-enabled tools can pull live data from CRMs, spreadsheets, and time-tracking platforms to generate clean, visual dashboards.
Why it works:
- Eliminates repetitive work
- Reduces errors
- Enables real-time decision-making
While we don’t set up dashboards directly, our diagnostics pinpoint where these tools could save hours of time and frustration.
3. Email Sorting and Routing
AI tools can help tag, prioritize, and route emails—reducing inbox overwhelm and response delays.
Why it works:
- Saves time
- Reduce mental clutter
- Helps teams focus on high-value communication
We guide organizations in identifying process overload and exploring automation-friendly options.
⚠️ 3 Tasks You Shouldn’t Automate
1. Performance Reviews and Coaching
AI can surface data, but it should never replace the conversation between a leader and a team member. When done right, coaching builds trust, culture, and accountability.
Why you need a human:
- Emotional intelligence matters
- Context can’t be coded
- Growth needs nuance
During our strategy sessions, we help leaders balance data with real connections—especially in performance-related conversations.
2. Team Conflict Resolution
No AI can read body language, pick up on tone shifts, or understand personal history the way people can. Are conflicts resolved via chatbots or templated responses? That’s a recipe for disengagement.
Why you need a human:
- Trust is built, not programmed
- People want to be heard
- AI can make tensions worse if used poorly
3. Strategic Decision-Making
AI can provide data and projections, but only humans can balance business goals with values, vision, and mission. When you’re steering the ship, you need human judgment.
Why you need a human:
- Vision isn’t data
- Morals and ethics matter
- Leaders must own the outcome
A Balanced Strategy for AI in Workplace Productivity
Think of AI as adding features to your car:
- Cruise control? Yes.
- Self-driving around sharp corners? Not yet.
At Productivity Advocates, we help organizations:
- Identify which tasks drain time and focus
- Diagnose which workflows are ripe for AI support
- Clarify where human insight still drives the best outcomes
We don’t build or integrate AI systems—but we’ll guide your team toward clarity before investing in tools you may not need.
Final Thought
Don’t automate blindly. Automate wisely.
Want to know if automation could free up time for your team?
Our productivity diagnostics and employee feedback tools uncover real-time opportunities to work smarter—with or without automation.
Image Credits
Vecteezy. (n.d.). AI and automation icon [Vector image]. Vecteezy. https://www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/29272378-ai-and-automation-icon
