Creating psychological safety in the AI era

Trust in AI begins when leaders admit what they do not know, address fears, and help people adapt. Rolling out enterprise-grade AI means climbing two steep cliffs at once. And second, creating the cultural conditions where employees can maximize its value. While the technical hurdles are significant, the human element can be even more consequential; fear and ambiguity can stall momentum of even the most promising initiatives. Psychological safety--feeling free to express opinions and take calculated risks without worrying about career repercussions1--is essential for successful AI adoption. In psychologically safe workspaces, employees are empowered to challenge assumptions and raise concerns about new tools without fear of reprisal.