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Question: Should companies draw the line on GenAI tools like ChatGPT writing emails and reports?
Answer: Picture this: It’s Monday morning, and your inbox is already a war zone. Deadlines are looming, and a report needs to be polished before noon. But instead of agonising over phrasing, you prompt ChatGPT, tweak its output, and send off a crisp, professional email in minutes. Welcome to the AI-assisted workplace.
But here’s the question: Should companies embrace this efficiency, or does it come at a cost?
Productivity boost (with a caveat)
Generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT are undeniably game-changers. These AI-driven models generate text, summarise content, and refine communication based on patterns learned from vast amounts of data. They can help employees draft emails, summarise lengthy reports, and even fine-tune tone and clarity. The result? Faster communication, reduced cognitive load, and more time for high-impact work.
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Yet, overreliance is a real risk. Employees who blindly copy-paste GenAI-generated content without critical review may introduce errors, misrepresent company messaging, or, worse – send out impersonal, robotic communication. GenAI should be a co-pilot, not the captain.
Should companies draw the line?
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no — it’s about thoughtful boundaries. Here’s where organisations should be careful:
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Confidentiality and data security – GenAI models process data, but where does that data go? If employees feed sensitive company information into these tools, it could create compliance and security risks, potentially risking intellectual property (IP). Companies need clear guidelines on what data is GenAI-safe.
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Authenticity in communication – No one enjoys reading an email that feels like it came from a bot. A brand’s voice, and individual employee personality, shouldn’t be lost to GenAI-generated style. The human touch still matters, especially in client relationships.
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Critical thinking, storytelling, and skill decay – Writing isn’t just about words; it’s about structuring thoughts, making arguments, and influencing decisions. Authenticity and storytelling create compelling communication. If employees lean too much on GenAI, could we see a decline in strategic thinking? Some level of manual effort and human touch should remain to keep communication sharp, engaging, and reflective of genuine human interaction.
The smart approach to GenAI in the workplace
So, what’s the best path forward? Rather than banning GenAI tools outright or allowing unchecked use, companies should establish clear etiquettes:
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Use GenAI as a first draft, not the final word. Employees should refine, personalise, and fact-check GenAI outputs.
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Define what’s GenAI-appropriate. Routine emails with no sensitive data? Fine. Legal contracts? Absolutely not.
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Train employees on AI literacy. Knowing when to use GenAI — and when to rely on human judgement — is key to making it a powerful workplace tool rather than a substitute for human judgement.
GenAI isn’t here to replace human communication — it’s here to refine it. Companies that embrace it while keeping creativity, critical thinking, and authenticity at the forefront will do more than survive — they’ll lead. The future belongs to those who know when to leverage AI’s speed and when to let human insight take centre stage. Remember, GenAI is just one part of the broader AI revolution — there’s a whole world of AI beyond generative models, shaping industries in ways we’re only beginning to understand. The key isn’t drawing a rigid line — it’s knowing when to let AI take the wheel and when to steer it yourself.
Roujin Ghamsari is an accomplished HR practitioner and fellow of the CIPD, a professional body for HR and people development. Named among the ‘Most Influential HR Practitioners 2023’, she excels at collaborating with C-Suite leadership to craft and implement robust people plans, enabling organisations to deliver their strategic objectives.