Why Employers Should Reward Employees Who Use AI (Especially If They’re Paying for It)

Let’s talk about those Apple ads—you know, the ones where the employees look like they’re slacking off, laughing, and twirling around in office chairs while AI quietly handles all the heavy lifting. It’s funny because we wish work were that easy. Sure, AI is a game-changer, but let’s keep it real: no amount of cutting-edge tech can make a bad worker good. AI isn’t a magic wand—it’s more like a power tool. In the hands of someone productive? It’s a masterpiece waiting to happen. In the hands of the office slacker? Well, now you just have faster mediocre work.

Employees who know how to integrate AI into their workflows are operating on a whole different level. They’re the spreadsheet whisperers, the copywriting ninjas, the marketing strategists who make it look easy. They’re automating repetitive tasks, spotting trends, and delivering high-quality results faster than their peers who are still wrestling with outdated tools. And if they’re paying for AI tools like ChatGPT Plus or Canva Pro out of their own pockets, they’re doing more than just their job—they’re investing in their company’s bottom line. Employers should be begging to pay these people more, not just clapping at quarterly meetings and handing out “Employee of the Month” mugs.

But let’s not stop at raises—because, spoiler alert, money isn’t everything. Employers could reimburse AI subscriptions or offer stipends for productivity tools. They could create incentive programs that reward employees who use AI to improve workflows or hit key performance metrics. Imagine getting recognized at the all-hands meeting as the “AI Guru” or sent to a cutting-edge AI conference, all expenses paid. That’s how you keep innovators motivated.

The benefits for companies are huge. Employees using AI tools can deliver faster turnarounds, smarter insights, and more creative solutions. It’s like having a whole extra team, minus the extra salaries. From content creation to data analysis, AI helps maximize talent—but only if there’s talent to maximize. AI doesn’t replace hard work, innovation, or skills; it enhances them. So, if your most unproductive coworker starts using AI, don’t expect a miracle. They’ll just be wasting time faster.

However, some tasks should remain in the human-only zone. Jobs requiring emotional intelligence, like counseling or sensitive HR conversations, don’t pair well with automation. And let’s not even get into ethics-heavy professions like law or medicine—nobody wants their life-changing decision made by a chatbot. AI should assist, not replace, in these areas, because when trust and nuance are on the line, humans still reign supreme.

The takeaway? Employers need to stop treating AI-savvy employees like any other staff member. These workers are shaping the future of the workplace, and their value should be rewarded accordingly—whether that’s through raises, perks, or training opportunities. AI might not be able to turn a bad worker into a superstar, but it can turn a good worker into an unstoppable force. And if that’s not worth investing in, what is?