AI Appreciation Day: Time to celebrate or pause for thought?

Inside This Issue:

As we gear up for AI Appreciation Day tomorrow (July 16th), there's an interesting tension brewing in our workplaces. While we're celebrating artificial intelligence's transformative power, fresh research from reveals something fascinating: employees are craving more human connection, not less.

It seems the more automated our world becomes, the more our people want to feel truly seen and valued by other humans. This isn't just about nostalgia, it's about performance. Custom recognition that reflects genuine understanding of an individual can reduce burnout by 64% and make employees 5x more likely to produce great work.

Meanwhile, our conflict-avoidant culture is creating more formal grievances than ever, suggesting we're perhaps too comfortable letting technology handle what fundamentally requires human intervention. The message is clear: embrace AI for efficiency, but double down on authentic human connection for engagement.

Featured Insights:

On AI Appreciation Day: Should HR Leaders Celebrate or Contemplate?

Tomorrow's AI Appreciation Day presents a perfect moment for EX and HR leaders to reflect on our relationship with artificial intelligence. While AI is revolutionising everything from recruitment to learning paths, saving up to 90% of time and reducing turnover by 15%, there's a deeper question at play. Are we using AI to enhance human potential or replace human judgment?

The answer lies in intelligent appreciation, celebrating AI's capabilities while maintaining our commitment to ethical deployment and human-centric approaches that empower rather than overwhelm our people.

Read the full article.

The Human Touch in an AI World: Why Employees Crave Custom Recognition

While 70% of employees believe technology is important for recognition programmes, the real magic happens when awards are personalised and symbolic. New research shows that custom awards have 24x higher impact on meaningfulness compared to generic ones, and employees receiving them are 5x more likely to produce exceptional work.

The key insight? As AI handles routine tasks, your people aren't looking for more automation in recognition, they're seeking authentic human connection that shows you truly know and value their unique contributions.

Read the full article.

Fresh off the Press

Stay current with key headlines and announcements from across the industry.

• AI Not Replacing Graduate Roles, But Transforming Them, Study Suggests

• Conflict Avoidance Culture Driving Rise in Workplace Grievances

• Weavr Teams Up with Visa to Revolutionise Employee Benefits for HR Tech Platforms

From Our Vault

Sometimes the best recognition comes with a smile. Our archive piece on creative employee awards reminds us that thoughtful humour can strengthen workplace bonds and boost morale, from "The Always Early Bird Award" to "The Storm Eye Award" for staying calm under pressure.

Read the full list.

The Extra Point

Tomorrow's AI Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to audit your current recognition programmes. Ask yourself: are you using AI to enhance human connection or replace it? The most successful organisations will be those that leverage AI's efficiency while amplifying authentic, personalised recognition that makes employees feel genuinely seen and valued.