We can’t hide from it anymore: if organisations want a workforce that is happy, motivated, and successful, they are going to have to put time and resources into prioritising employee wellbeing. With an estimated 51% of long-term sick leave as a result of stress, depression, or anxiety, this is an area employers cannot be shying away from.
But on the flip side, 70% of managers have expressed organisational barriers – such as company policy, unmanageable workloads, toxic culture, and a lack of training – are preventing them from being able to adequately support the health of their people.
As a result, the corporate wellbeing market is undergoing a necessary transformation that will see significant innovation through artificial intelligence (AI). AI is emerging as a game-changer in the wellbeing space, with the ability to completely reimagine how organisations approach and support the health of their employees.
And we aren’t just talking about intuitive software such as ChatGPT. We are talking about AI that completely alters and enhances employee experiences, helping to create an inclusive environment that are built to thrive and last.
Wellbeing, personalised
One of the big advantages of AI in the corporate wellbeing market is its potential to provide personalised solutions. With the help of AI-driven algorithms, employers can analyse large pools of employee data, such as health metrics, and working and personal preferences. This data allows companies to offer tailored wellness programs and support, which in turn can encourage employees to prioritise their health, wellbeing and any self-improvement that aligns with their needs.
From personalised fitness routines based on an individual’s physical capabilities, to stress management techniques designed to address specific triggers, AI-driven wellbeing solutions will cater to employees and make it easier for them to actively engage and benefit from the programs.
Health insights in real-time
Incorporating AI-powered wearables and health trackers into corporate wellbeing initiatives allows for real-time health monitoring that gives instant insights. This could potentially be the most contentious aspect of AI in corporate wellbeing due to the importance of protecting an individual’s personal data.
Back in 2020, PWC ran a pilot scheme designed to understand the true impact of COVID-19 – as well as the resulting lockdowns – on employee mental health and wellbeing. Lifestyle and biometric data – such as information on heart rate and sleep – was collected from 1,000 wearable devices and analysed by various AI programmes so that the business could get a clear picture of current and potential health concerns.
Continuously collecting data on various health parameters – such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels – can provide opportunities to support employees while also aggregating data for the organisation. The data processed by AI algorithms could provide employees and employers with insights into their health and wellbeing, insights that they were perhaps not aware of initially.
Real-time health information can help employees better understand their bodies and needs, acting as a guide for them when making informed decisions about their lifestyle. Many employees have already begun this journey on a personal level, but there are clear advantages to opening this opportunity up for employers - identifying potential health risks in their workforce and implementing effective, proactive measures to prevent health issues from escalating. This does not come without risks and controversy. Protecting an individual’s privacy will become even more important in the wellbeing conversation and ensure continued trust between employer and employee.
Mental health support with a difference
So this might be the most controversial point. While we are not there yet, given the incredibly fast advances in AI, virtual assistants and chatbots are becoming increasingly valuable allies and we could soon see them support the mental health of employees. With 24/7 access, digital assistants could offer a safe and confidential space for employees to discuss their feelings and challenges, without fear of judgment.
Through natural language processing and sentiment analysis, AI chatbots could recognise signs of stress, anxiety, or depression in employees' communication patterns. It can then offer individuals something crucial: the appropriate resources and personalised coping strategies.
This kind of mental health support could combat the shame that can still be felt around reaching out for help, and offer a solution that is easy, comfortable, and safe for employees.
It's all about the data
It goes without saying that these days, data is king. Being able to evidence actions and insights with data is something organisations can’t afford to go without. And the data generated from corporate wellbeing initiatives presents an opportunity for employers to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of their programs.
The truth is that this data is currently being stored in different places with wildly different levels of governance, making it hard to derive genuine and trusted insights from that data. What AI algorithms can offer is the chance to analyse data, identify patterns, trends, and correlations that human eyes might miss.
AI acts as a master puzzle solver, piecing together insights from various data sources, simplifying the complex and revealing valuable patterns that might go unnoticed in the data mix.
Sonia Patel
Lead Data Consultant and Generative AI specialist at Redkite
By weaponising data-driven insights, companies will be able to refine and optimise their wellbeing strategies, allowing them to direct their resources into areas that will have the most significant impact. This approach will not only accelerate the overall success of wellbeing initiatives but will also go a long way in maintaining and continuously improving a healthy, supportive culture.
The Holy Grail of employee engagement
Engaging employees in wellbeing programs has often proved to be the most challenging part of implementing a health and wellness initiative. But AI introduces new ideas and avenues to increase engagement, including gamification and incentivising employees. AI-powered gamification elements – challenges, rewards, and competitions – could create greater engagement and ultimately make the wellbeing journey something employees actually want to partake in.
And it goes far beyond this. AI algorithms can also analyse employee preferences and interests to offer truly personalised incentives, further motivating employees to actively participate. While a balance surely needs to be struck between human design and interaction, we are already becoming used to AI and algorithms improving our everyday consumer experiences, so this is something that can be easily and effectively achieved.
Predictive and proactive analytics
AI's predictive capabilities could be become a decisive reason for organisations to invest in this area. Preventing burnout and stress-related issues in the workplace, predicting cost increases of private healthcare, and identifying future absence or attrition are exciting areas where AI has the biggest potential to align with corporate strategy – particularly ESG targets and measurements – and improve the lives of employees.
This predictive approach will make HR professionals more strategic, giving them the room to support leaders and managers when it comes to intervening proactively, offering support, adjustments to workloads, or taking time-off as needed. As a result, organisations can maintain a healthy and sustainable workforce while empowering employees to achieve their full potential.
Supporting new ways of working
The rise of remote work has brought forth a new era of challenges to employee wellbeing. But where there is challenge, there is opportunity to innovate. AI-powered tools can play a key role in supporting employees' mental health and work-life balance in a remote setting.
Solutions such as AI-driven virtual collaboration platforms could potentially facilitate team bonding and increase those all too needed social interactions employees can miss when working from home, combating feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Additionally, AI-powered time management tools can help employees establish clear boundaries between work and personal life, promoting a healthy work-life balance that allows employees to flourish in all areas of their life.
Wrapping things up
As the corporate wellbeing market continues to evolve, the integration of AI technology holds immense promise for the future. The personalised nature of AI-driven solutions, real-time health monitoring, enhanced mental health support, data-driven insights, and predictive analytics all have the potential to contribute to a more holistic and thriving work environment for all employees, no matter their demographic or lifestyle.
AI has the potential to reimagine the employee experience, creating a fairer, more equitable and personalised approach. Those with responsibility for wellbeing and employee experience need to understand this emerging trend and embrace the opportunities while balancing any risks.
Nick McClelland,
Chief Growth Officer at Champion Health
And while AI can certainly provide invaluable tools for promoting employee wellbeing, it is essential to remember that technology cannot ever replace human touch and the empathy required in what is a deeply human topic.
Companies must always remember to strike the right balance between AI-driven initiatives and compassionate leadership. Only through this can they ensure employees receive the care and support they need to be happy and healthy, both professionally and personally.
