How AI is Transforming the Future of Work
AI is transforming the way we work—and it’s happening faster than many realize.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai described artificial intelligence (AI) as “more profound than fire or electricity,” showing its potential to reshape human progress. That same power is now reaching Canadian businesses and redefining the future of work.
At Medavie Blue Cross’s annual tri-city conference, Benefits Together, a standout session explored this significant shift. In the closing keynote, Karla Congson—CEO & CTO of agentiiv , Canada’s first hybrid AI consultancy—explained how AI is rapidly changing business operations.
Speaking to group plan advisors and sponsors, she described AI as a game-changer for the workplace. It’s a powerful tool for organizations seeking to support employees, streamline operations, and be more flexible in a fast-changing business world.
Key takeaways from the session
AI is growing fast - AI is rapidly becoming smarter and more affordable, making it more accessible and widespread. As of 2024, 75% of people were already using some form of AI, showing its growing presence in daily work and life.
Helping workers do more - AI allows employees to easily shift from routine tasks to high-value work. This increases productivity, innovation, and the ability to deliver amazing customer experiences.
“This is generalized technology. If you touch a computer, AI will touch your world of work.” - Karla Congson, CEO & CTO of Agentiiv
Pros and cons - AI brings real risks like cybersecurity threats, data privacy concerns, misinformation, and legal issues. At the same time, it opens doors to new processes, better employee and customer experiences, and faster innovation.
A new kind of workforce value - AI helps employees save time, boost confidence, communicate better, and make a greater impact. It’s not replacing human value—it’s enhancing it.
Human-like interactions - Today’s AI can mimic human behaviour with increasing realism—generating images, videos, and even voice recordings.
Balancing the risks - AI’s benefits must be weighed against its risks—especially around deep fakes, misinformation, and data misuse. Strong governance and ethical oversight are essential.
“The future (of AI) is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed.” - Karla Congson
Bridging the adoption gap - Technology is advancing faster than most organizations can adapt. Training and transformation efforts are critical to ensure businesses keep pace and employees are empowered and not left behind.
Action items for leaders
“Be curious. Play. Don’t do nothing. Start small. Just play.” - Karla Congson
Focus on value creation- Explore how AI can improve the employee experience, change customer engagement, and rethink core business processes.
Educate and prepare - Invest in education and change management so teams understand both the opportunities and the risks of AI.
Engage in meaningful dialogue - Have open conversations with employees about how AI impacts workflows and operational challenges.
Strengthen governance - Set clear policies, governance structures, and compliance training, including around the use of personally identifiable information (PII).
Stay ahead of regulation - Keep an eye on changing regulations and regularly review AI usage, risks, and employee understanding.
Protect truth - Address the threat of misinformation and deep fakes by creating safeguards and detection filters.
Support employee wellbeing - Track AI’s influence on mental health, team dynamics, and vulnerability to scams. Work to ensure ethical and human-centred deployment.
“AI is about solving a problem and enabling your workforce.” - Karla Congson
Medavie Blue Cross and the future of AI
A strategic commitment - Medavie Blue Cross is using AI to drive innovation and transformation. With its new Generative AI and Automation Centre of Excellence, the organization is leading the way in responsible AI adoption.
Setting the standard for governance - The Centre provides the foundation for secure, ethical, and compliant AI deployment. Its focus on best practices ensures all applications of AI meet high standards for privacy, safety, and transparency.
AI in action across the organization - Today, every Medavie Blue Cross employee has access to generative AI tools. These tools are supported by training, policies, and a culture of innovation. This is already making a big impact across the business, from improving operations to transforming customer service.
Want to learn more?
Reach out to your Medavie Blue Cross representative to explore our AI-powered solutions and learn how they can help your employees thrive.
Entrepreneur | AI Integrated Leader
2moIt was such a pleasure to join the Medavie Blue Cross / Croix Bleue Medavie team across the country; and love how you are leading in this space - innovating responsibly, with a human centred approach.