As part of USA TODAY’s series, Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles human resources questions. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest HR professional organization, and author of Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.
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question: My company doesn’t have an artificial intelligence policy yet, but we use ChatGPT to speed up reporting and email work. It saved me a lot of time, but I’m not sure if I should tell my boss. Should I be upfront about it or just stick with what works? – Annie
answer: Let’s start with this. you are not alone. At the recent AI+HI project conference, I heard your question many times. Three out of four organizations do not yet have a generative AI policy. So employees are quietly experimenting, wondering whether to raise their hands or keep their heads down.
But the truth is, it’s not about using AI to work smarter. The problem is that it lacks transparency.
Many people worry that if they go “too fast” their jobs will be automated and their jobs will disappear. However, the idea is the opposite. The value you bring is not the time you spend typing emails. It’s the judgment, creativity, and problem-solving ability that lies behind the work. AI eliminates low-level tasks so you can focus on higher-value tasks like brainstorming and innovation. It’s not about eliminating jobs, it’s about elevating jobs.
Still, using AI covertly can put you and your employer at risk. Without guardrails, you are more likely to accidentally drop sensitive information into external tools or rely on inaccurate or biased content generated by AI. This is exactly why organizations create AI policies. This is not to punish the use of new technology, but to keep people safe.
That’s why transparency is so important. Telling your boss gives your company a chance to set expectations, put safety measures in place, and most importantly for you, make sure you’re ahead of the curve. Please believe me. Forward-thinking employers won’t punish you for being more efficient. They will find people who are open to new tools and willing to learn. That’s leadership potential.
When you bring it up, don’t treat it like a confession. Frame it like a business conversation. Something like:
“We’ve been testing AI tools to streamline our day-to-day operations, and they’ve made us more efficient. We want to make sure we’re using them in a way that aligns with the company’s expectations.”
professional. Honesty. directly. It shows spontaneity, not guilt.
Now, even if you use the tool responsibly, if your employer responds poorly, it’s less of a reflection on you and more of an indication that the organization may not be fit for the future of work. And you deserve to work in a place that grows with the world, not against it.
Bottom line: Yes, you should tell your boss. Using AI responsibly can open more doors than you think, not because you’ve done anything wrong, but because transparency is smart business.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
