How Social Intelligence Can Shape Artificial Intelligence
We’re entering a phase where the novelty of AI is giving way to real implementation. But as organizations embed AI, they’re discovering friction between what leaders want AI to do, and what employees feel it should do.
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Across boardrooms, break rooms, and calls, a shift is unfolding in how we think about work. No longer is the question just “What can AI do?”, it’s “What does it mean for me?” Whether you’re a C-level leader or a new starter, the conversation has started to evolve.
For some, it sparks unease. For others, curiosity. But regardless of where you sit on the spectrum, one thing is becoming clear: AI literacy is no longer a specialist skill. It’s essential knowledge for everyone, from executives to frontline employees, and for the communities’ businesses serve.
Recognising this critical moment, SAP hosted Intrepid Women, a four-day executive AI study tour across Walldorf, Germany, and Paris, France. The exclusive program brought together Australian female C-level leaders in technology to explore innovation, strategy, and AI’s real-world applications.
Among the many themes explored, one topic that sparked deep reflection was how do we integrate AI into business to create real, tangible outcomes without losing the human heartbeat of our workplaces.
The Culture Around the Code
“When we start implementing AI in business, the cultural aspect is just as important as the technology itself,” said one executive on the tour. And it’s true, algorithms don’t operate in a vacuum. They enter organizations steeped in habits, hierarchies, and human emotions.
For AI to create real value, businesses must look beyond the tech stack. They must prepare their people. That includes addressing concerns around job security, shifting responsibilities, and ensuring staff are properly prepared and trained to effectively work alongside AI. It means asking: How does AI affect job satisfaction? What does it mean for growth, learning, and trust? And how can we make it add to our experience of work?
Because as powerful as AI is, it’s not immune to workplace culture — it shapes it.
For example, AI is freeing up employees from the grind of tedious, low-value tasks, which can have great knock-on effects on how we manage young talent.
“It used to be that those repetitive jobs were passed down to junior team members,” one participant noted. “Now, with AI handling those tasks, younger staff can contribute strategically much earlier in their careers.”
This shift is not just about efficiency. It’s about meaningful work — unlocking human creativity, judgment, and empathy, and letting machines take care of the rest.
From AI Hype to AI Impact
Each year, researchers at SAP examine workforce trends by analyzing business and media insights globally. One clear trend this year? Moving from AI hype to AI impact.
“We’re entering a phase where the novelty of AI is giving way to real implementation. But as organizations embed AI, they’re discovering friction between what leaders want AI to do, and what employees feel it should do,” said Maryann Abbajay, Chief Revenue Officer, SAP SuccessFactors.
This is where intentional change management, inclusive dialogue, and a clear focus on outcomes become critical.
CITIC Pacific, an Australian energy company, is using SAP AI and automation tools to streamline safety compliance and protect its workforce. By digitising document management and integrating it with SAP SuccessFactors, this company slashed admin time to improve compliance and workforce safety, reduced the risk of human error, and ensured workers arrive site-ready.
This resulted in safer operations, smarter compliance, and more time for people to focus on higher-value work.
It’s a compelling reminder that AI’s impact goes far beyond productivity — it can literally help save lives.
Shaping AI Is About People as Much as It Is Data
It’s clear that good AI needs good data. As much as 80% of AI use cases use data sourced from the mission critical apps used internally in every corner of a business. Yet, so often AI can falter because bringing together disparate, siloed functions is a complex challenge.
That’s why as organizations rush to implement artificial intelligence, they must also invest in social intelligence to bring an entire organization together.
As one attendee noted, “Getting the most out of AI requires a lot of upfront thinking to collaborate with security, architecture, and the different parts of the company where the data is. This needs to be part of the leaders’ strategy, not left on the side for a different team to manage.”
That level of connection and collaboration is not only required across the business, but across industries and ecosystems.
Angela Colantuono, President and Managing Director for SAP Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), noted, “The Intrepid Women tour was based on the idea of bringing female leaders from across Australia together to explore AI literacy, innovation, and outcomes together, because shared experiences are much more powerful than the theory. AI is potentially the biggest opportunity for Australian businesses in a generation, and realising those results needs leadership across technology and the wider industry.”
“Today, only seven per cent of AI jobs in Australia are held by women. The best business outcomes are based on technology that’s relevant, reliable, and responsible, so I truly believe a continued focus and commitment to representation is critical to getting the best results from new AI innovation.”
A Shared Responsibility
The conversation about AI is no longer about if or when. It’s about how. And, more importantly, who.
AI isn’t just only about data, it’s about people. And to get it right, businesses need to create environments where AI and humans coexist, collaborate, and amplify each other’s strengths.
The answer won’t come from code alone. It will come from conversations, leadership, and a commitment to using AI not just intelligently but intentionally.
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