Investigating with AI: Examining the Risks and Rewards

A topic that’s been generating a lot of buzz lately: the potential uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. As more and more companies recognize the importance of creating safe and inclusive work environments, they may turn to AI as a way to streamline their workplace investigations and ensure that they are as fair and thorough as possible.

What is AI and How Does it Work?

If you're new to the world of AI and chatbots, let me give you a quick rundown.

AI refers to computer systems that are designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Chatbots, like ChatGPT on the other hand, are a type of AI application that uses natural language processing to simulate human conversation.

So what do these technologies have to do with workplace investigations? Well, chatbots could be used to automate certain aspects of investigations, such as gathering information from witnesses or conducting interviews with employees. This has the potential to save time and resources, and allow investigators to focus on more complex tasks that require human judgment and expertise.

Potential Benefits of AI in Workplace Investigations

One significant potential use of AI in workplace investigations is in the analysis of large data sets. When an organization receives a complaint or is investigating a potential violation of policy, there can be a significant amount of data to review, such as emails, chat logs, and other electronic records. I know we’ve all been there…piles of documents to review and unsure where to start. AI may help to quickly and accurately sift through this data to identify patterns that might indicate workplace issues or patterns of wrongdoing.

Another potential use of AI is as virtual assistants that can assist employees with reporting concerns or violations of company policy. These assistants can be programmed to recognize keywords or phrases related to specific workplace issues and provide guidance on the appropriate next steps in complaint investigation and resolution processes.

AI can also be used to identify potential risks and prevent workplace issues before they occur. With AI’s ability to analyze data on employee behavior and identify patterns, it may be able to assist in identifying potential issues before they escalate. This can help organizations take proactive steps to address issues and prevent costly lawsuits. These possible uses of AI are likely just scratching the surface.

Ethical and Legal Considerations for Use of AI in Workplace Investigations

While chatbots and other AI applications can be incredibly useful tools for workplace investigations, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. One of the biggest concerns is around privacy and data security - if sensitive information is being shared through a chatbot, there is always a risk that it could be compromised or accessed by unauthorized parties. Additionally, there is the risk of bias in AI applications, as these systems can sometimes reflect the biases of their developers or the data they are trained on. It's important for investigators to be aware of these potential risks and take steps to mitigate, should they choose to implement AI into their processes. Precautions may include using secure communication channels and regularly monitoring and auditing AI systems to ensure that they are operating fairly and accurately.

It also goes without saying, that AI lacks emotional intelligence and empathy, crucial elements in conducting workplace investigations. Humans are better able to understand the nuances of human behavior and can pick up on non-verbal cues that robots can’t. Additionally, we can build trust and rapport with employees, which is critical to conducting sensitive investigations.

Organizations and investigators need to carefully consider these issues to ensure use of AI in a responsible and ethical manner. Even so, I’m excited to see what opportunities AI presents for conducting more equitable, transparent and accountable workplace investigations. 

If you found this article interesting, do me a favor and share it with your colleagues. Let’s keep the conversation going. Bots aren’t going anywhere and we might as well explore ways to use them to our advantage.

Looking to create a more equitable, transparent and accountable workplace investigation process? Check out my FREE guide.