How to Teach AI to Work Like a Member of Your Team

TL;DR:

AI can act as an effective team member when trained to understand your business goals, workflows, and communication styles. By aligning AI capabilities with human-centric roles, organisations can achieve transformative productivity and smarter decision-making.

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How to Teach AI to Work Like a Member of Your Team

By Richard KeenlysideGlobal CIO | IT Director | Business Transformation Leader

As organisations increasingly embrace digital transformation, the question isn't whether to use artificial intelligence—but how to integrate it meaningfully. Teaching AI to work like a member of your team is no longer futuristic; it’s essential for companies looking to scale, innovate, and thrive.

In my experience across diverse industries—from global manufacturing to retail and utilities—successful AI implementation hinges on treating AI as a strategic extension of your workforce, not a separate silo.

1. Start With a Purpose-Led Strategy

Before deploying AI, clarify what business problems you want it to solve. Whether you're aiming to reduce costs, optimise workflows, or enhance customer experience, your AI must align with organisational objectives.

At a recent client, I led the transformation of IT operations across several countries by introducing AI-enhanced cyber security and predictive maintenance models. We didn’t adopt AI because it was trendy—we adopted it because it solved clear, quantifiable problems.

2. Replicate Human Thinking Through Contextual Learning

AI needs context. Just like onboarding a new employee, you must train your AI systems to understand internal processes, jargon, and priorities.

At Northumbrian Water, we optimised 75,000 work hours annually through RPA and AI-driven reporting. We succeeded by mapping AI workflows to the way teams already worked—minimising disruption and maximising trust.

3. Develop Role-Specific AI Models

A single AI cannot (and should not) do everything. Instead, design AI tools to complement specific job functions.

For example, HR teams at M.I. Dickson benefited from AI chatbots that streamlined queries and cut operational tasks by 40%. Finance departments saw a 29% drop in late payments thanks to AI-enabled invoice tracking. These are specialised, not generic, applications of AI.

4. Cultivate Human-AI Collaboration

AI thrives when it supports—not replaces—humans. Encourage your team to see AI as a helpful colleague rather than a threat.

In transformation programmes at Mothercare and Game UK, I ensured AI tools were introduced alongside training and change management. This reduced resistance and empowered teams to embrace automation as a partner in progress.

5. Build Trust Through Transparent AI

Employees need to trust AI decisions. Prioritise explainability and transparency in how AI reaches conclusions.

By introducing governance frameworks across FitFlop and the Co-Operative Group, I created structures where AI insights were auditable and ethically sourced. Trust, after all, is the cornerstone of any successful team.

6. Adapt and Evolve With Feedback Loops

AI should improve over time—just like employees do. Embed continuous learning by feeding outcomes, feedback, and new data into your models.

This agile mindset is critical. In my advisory role at Quollify, an AI-based matching platform, we used user feedback loops to refine algorithmic decisions, ultimately improving engagement and platform accuracy.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to onboard AI like a team member?A: Timelines vary by complexity, but with defined goals and strong data governance, meaningful results can emerge in 3–6 months.

Q: Do I need in-house AI expertise to teach AI effectively?A: Not necessarily. Many companies succeed by leveraging external advisors or AI-as-a-service platforms. What's key is strategic alignment.

Q: Can AI fully replace certain roles?A: While AI can automate tasks, it works best as an augmentation tool—enhancing human capability rather than eliminating roles.

Final Thoughts

Teaching AI to work like a team member requires more than technology—it demands vision, leadership, and empathy. With the right structure, AI can become your team’s most reliable partner, driving both efficiency and innovation.

Whether you’re a mid-sized manufacturer or a multinational retailer, the question remains: is your AI working with your team or simply around it?

Make it a collaborator. Make it count.

Richard Keenlyside is the Global CIO for the LoneStar Group and a previous IT Director for J Sainsbury’s PLC.

Follow me on X https://x.com/cioinpractice & LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkeenlyside/.