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Writer's pictureLoren Cossette

Riding the Wave of Transformation: The Intertwined History of AI and Change Management

In the modern world, the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ubiquitous. From smartphones to self-driving cars, AI is revolutionizing our lives and work. However, this technological marvel didn't emerge overnight. Its history is rich and closely intertwined with the concept of change management. This article delves into the entangled histories of AI and change management and how they have shaped the world.


Dawn of the Machines: Early AI


AI, as a concept, has been around for centuries. Ancient Greek myths of automatons and the mechanical Turk of the 18th century were early representations of machine intelligence. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that AI began to take form as we know it. The term "artificial intelligence" was coined by John McCarthy at the Dartmouth Conference in 1956. This conference was a gathering of scholars who believed that "every aspect of learning or any other feature of intelligence can, in principle, be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it". Thus, the AI journey began.


During the 1960s and 1970s, AI research thrived. Early AI programs like SHRDLU and ELIZA simulated natural language understanding and conversation. However, this initial boom was followed by the “AI winter” in the late 1970s and early 1980s due to the high costs and technological limitations. The government, a major funder of AI research, started losing faith, and funding dwindled.


Change Management Emerges


Parallel to the development of AI, another discipline was emerging: change management. Change management encompasses the methods, tools, and models for organizational change. In the 1960s, Kurt Lewin's change management model of “unfreeze-change-refreeze” laid the foundation. This model suggests that change in an organization should be a structured process where old habits are discarded, new ones are adopted and then solidified.


Soon after Lewin, William Bridges introduced the Transition Management Theory in the 1970s, emphasizing individuals' psychological journey during a change process. Bridges' theory was crucial as it highlighted the human element in change.


As AI technology developed, businesses and organizations realized the potential impact AI could have on their operations. This set the stage for change management to play a critical role in adopting AI technologies.


The Rejuvenation of AI: The Rise of Machine Learning


The second wave of AI began in the mid-1980s with the rise of machine learning, which involves algorithms improving through experience. The development of backpropagation for training neural networks marked a turning point. AI systems became more practical during this time, increasing adoption across industries. AI-driven solutions such as recommendation systems, fraud detection, and automated customer support began to emerge.


Change management was essential in ensuring the smooth integration of these AI systems. Managers had to deal with the challenges of employee resistance, training needs, and transformation of business processes. In 1996, John Kotter’s “Leading Change” was published, introducing an 8-step process for leading change within an organization. Kotter's approach emphasized creating a sense of urgency and building a guiding coalition, particularly relevant for organizations looking to adopt AI technologies rapidly.


The Internet Era and Big Data Explosion


The advent of the internet in the 1990s changed everything. With the exponential increase in data, AI systems had more information to learn from. Companies like Google and Amazon started using AI algorithms to improve search results and recommendations.


Change management, again, was integral to this adoption. Organizations needed to transform their business models to become data-driven. This required significant changes in organizational culture, processes, and skillsets. Change management models, such as ADKAR and Kotter’s 8-Step Process, became popular during this era.


John Kotter's steps, which included communicating the vision and generating short-term wins, were invaluable for organizations to adopt AI effectively. By cultivating a culture receptive to change, organizations could overcome barriers and facilitate the integration of AI.


The Current State: Deep Learning and Change Management 3.0


Deep learning, a subset of machine learning, has been at the forefront of AI's recent achievements. With deep neural networks, AI systems can process large amounts of data and make incredibly accurate predictions. AI is prevalent in healthcare, finance, entertainment, and countless other sectors.


Change management has also evolved, with Change Management 3.0 focusing on agility and continuous improvement. In this era, change is not just a project but a constant. Organizations must be adaptable and ready to harness new AI technologies as they emerge.

During this period, William Bridges’ transition management theory gained renewed relevance. As AI systems became more complex, change's psychological and emotional aspects became more prominent. Understanding and addressing the human side of change became critical for successful AI adoption.


The Future: AI in Change Management and Beyond


As AI continues to evolve, its role in change management is expected to grow. AI-driven analytics can help predict how changes will impact an organization, and adaptive algorithms can help customize change strategies for individuals and teams. Furthermore, AI can automate mundane tasks, allowing employees to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work.


However, with great power comes great responsibility. Ethical considerations and the potential for job displacement are significant concerns. Drawing from theories like Kotter’s and Bridges’, change management will be critical in ensuring that AI adoption is ethically responsible and that employees are retrained and repurposed as necessary.


Conclusion


The history of AI is a fascinating journey that has closely paralleled and now intertwines with the development of change management. From the early days of AI in the 1950s to the modern age of deep learning, AI has continuously evolved. Similarly, change management has matured from structured models like Lewin’s to more human-focused approaches like Bridges’ and strategic methodologies like Kotter’s.


As we move into the future, integrating AI into change management promises to revolutionize further how organizations adapt to change. However, this integration must be handled with care. By understanding and respecting the power of AI and by employing effective change management strategies, organizations can ride the wave of transformation to new heights of innovation and efficiency.


Change is the only constant, and in the ever-evolving landscape of AI, it is imperative for organizations to manage change effectively. The entwined history of AI and change management is a tale of two evolving fields and a roadmap for navigating the waves of transformation that lie ahead.

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