AI Employees at Lattice? Here’s Why It Didn’t Work Out!

Lattice, an HR company, comes under fire for a botched AI implementation in its’workforce management.

Lattice Faces Backlash for AI Worker Records

Lattice, an HR company, faced significant backlash after announcing on July 9th that it would start treating AI bots like human employees. CEO Sarah Franklin detailed plans to onboard, train, and manage digital workers with official employee records. However, the negative response led Lattice to cancel the feature on July 12th. Critics, including HR professionals and AI experts, questioned the decision and its implications.

Criticism and Concerns

Many industry professionals expressed their concerns on LinkedIn. Hebba Youssef, chief people officer at Workweek, and others questioned the rationale behind the move. Amanda Halle, an HR professional, pointed out the apparent missteps in the integration process, while Sawyer Middeleer, chief of staff at Aomni, noted that the strategy and messaging were flawed. Despite these concerns, Franklin defended the company’s thinking, clarifying that the goal was not to personify AI.

Other Companies and Future Implications

Lattice’s attempt followed trends set by companies like Cognition AI and Qualified, which have introduced AI workers for specific roles. However, Lattice’s approach backfired, highlighting the challenges of integrating AI into HR processes. The controversy underscores the need for careful consideration and clear communication when implementing AI technologies in workplace settings.

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*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.