Building trust: working with AI-based tools

Many employees approach AI-based systems in the workplace with a level of mistrust. This lack of trust can slow the implementation of new tools and systems, alienate staff and reduce productivity. Data center managers can avoid this outcome by understanding the factors that drive mistrust in AI and devising a strategy to minimize them.

Perceived interpersonal trust is a key productivity driver for humans but is rarely discussed in a data center context. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in the UK have found that interpersonal trust and organizational trust have a strong correlation with staff productivity. In terms of resource allocation, lack of trust requires employees to invest time and effort organizing fail-safes to circumvent perceived risks. This takes attention away from the task at hand and results in less output.