Since late 2022, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the corporate world, especially in retail and hospitality, where many companies are striving to catch up with the technological revolution going on around them. In a recent Forbes article, Fabrice Haiat expresses how AI technology can improve workflow and boost profitability in the retail industry.
“Although it’s inevitable that workers will worry about the impact of AI, it’s important that they see digital innovation not as a threat but as a valuable workplace ally—one that can help alleviate job stress, promote professional growth and foster better collaboration with colleagues,” Haiat said.
Haiat is the CEO and co-founder of YOOBIC, an all-in-one frontline employee experience platform.
"The most advanced retail systems can use big data to identify issues and opportunities, leading to cooperative solutions and empowering staff to excel," Haiat explains. AI technology can optimize daily tasks and enable personalized customer service, allowing frontline retail staff to focus on customer-centric activities. While AI can handle certain tasks, humans possess unique interpersonal skills like empathy and emotional intelligence that automation technologies do not.
AI supports skill-building and professional advancement. Haiat highlights the importance of continuous employee upskilling in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. AI can help create personalized learning experiences based on individual needs and goals.
In addition to improving workflow and individual growth, AI can also foster a positive team environment. By facilitating communication and collaboration among frontline staff, AI enables shared spaces for workers to exchange insights and ideas. Generative AI can even help create engaging digital content that brings colleagues together, fostering a sense of connection and shared success.
Haiat dismisses the idea that AI threatens job security and instead emphasizes that it empowers employees. He believes that retail leaders have a responsibility to clearly convey this message and demonstrate how AI can enhance productivity, personal growth, and peer-to-peer connections. Employees play a crucial role in retail success, and AI can serve as a valuable tool in the evolving landscape.
According to a World Economic Forum report, while automation may replace 85 million jobs by 2025, it will also create 97 million new opportunities. The most competitive businesses will be those that prioritize reskilling and upskilling their current employees to adapt to the implementation of AI in the workforce.