In a 2025 survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, 83% of knowledge workers in over 200 companies in ASEAN countries are currently using Generative AI tools at work. This is higher than the global average of 75%.
But in PwC’s Asia Pacific Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2024, the findings show that 35.3% of respondents are anxious about their future job prospects. Job security emerged as their biggest issue related to AI. Whilst this is a valid concern, employers and employees alike can still benefit from AI by embracing it as a tool to enhance productivity, create new roles, and upskill for the future.
✅ Employees can use AI tools to save time, reduce repetitive work, and improve output quality.
✅ Employers should encourage adoption through training and integration into workflows.
✅ The best AI tools complement human skills rather than replace them.
Best Practices for Human-AI Collaboration
As AI becomes a staple in the workplace, employees and organisations can learn to maximise its benefits whilst minimising risks. Here are recommendations for responsible adoption, workforce adaptability, and upholding ethical standards.
1. Set clear guidelines to avoid misuse
AI is a practical tool for automating routine tasks like scheduling, data entry, and generating reports. It can help your teams save time by assisting with research, summarising information, and drafting content for emails or meeting notes. It also adds value by providing insights through data analysis and forecasting trends.
However, AI has its boundaries. It shouldn’t be used to make high-level decisions without human input, such as hiring or budget approvals. It also can’t replace human creativity or ethical judgment. Any AI output should be reviewed before use. When employees understand what AI can and can’t do, they’re more likely to use it effectively, ethically, and with greater confidence.
For example, your marketing team can use AI to write ad copy. But you’ll need a human editor to ensure it reflects the brand’s tone.
2. Train employees for AI upskilling
No matter how advanced an AI tool is, it needs skilled people to use it well. You can offer AI literacy programs, such as LinkedIn Learning online courses on effective prompt writing for tools like ChatGPT. You can also provide targeted training based on roles (e.g., helping your sales team get familiar with Gong’s AI features).
For example, you can support your employees in earning AI-related certifications, like Microsoft Copilot or Google AI Essentials. This helps your staff add another layer of expertise.
3. Build a smarter AI system with feedback
AI tools perform best when they’re consistently monitored and improved. Set up simple feedback processes by checking AI output for quality, correcting mistakes, and adjusting prompts or training data as needed. The more your team interacts with and improves the AI, the more reliable and useful it becomes.
For example, your customer support team can track chatbot errors and retrain the system to respond more accurately.
4. Help your team trust AI the right way
Build a workplace culture where people understand and trust AI. Be transparent and explain how AI makes recommendations based on past data. Introduce AI gradually, starting with low-risk tasks to help teams get comfortable. Encourage your employees to be mindful and question AI results when they don’t seem right.
For example, a financial analyst can double-check AI forecasts against historical data before sharing them with stakeholders.
5. Prioritise data security in AI use
When using AI in your business, protecting sensitive data should always be a top priority. Avoid entering confidential information into public tools like ChatGPT. Choose enterprise-grade platforms with proper security and compliance certifications, such as Microsoft Copilot.
For example, a company’s payroll department can use an internal AI tool approved by IT security to generate salary summaries.
Examples of AI Tools for the Workplace
Here are recommended AI platforms that can transform your workplace and help your teams work smarter, faster, and more efficiently across a range of tasks.
1. Productivity and Task Automation
- Microsoft Copilot – Integrates with Office 365 for AI-assisted document editing, Excel analysis, and PPT generation
- Zapier/Make – Automate workflows between apps (e.g., auto-save email attachments to Google Drive)
- Otter.ai – Real-time transcription and meeting notes
- Motion/Reclaim.ai – AI-powered calendar scheduling and time management
2. Data Analysis and Insights
- Microsoft Excel (Power Query, Ideas) – AI-driven data cleaning and trend analysis
- Tableau (Ask Data feature) – Natural language queries for business intelligence
- Google Sheets (Smart Fill, Gemini integration) – AI-powered formula suggestions and data predictions
3. Customer Support and Sales
- HubSpot AI – Auto-generate email responses and analyse customer interactions
- Intercom (Fin AI) – AI chatbot for customer queries
- Gong/Chorus – AI-powered sales call analysis and coaching
4. Writing and Communication
- ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), Claude (Anthropic), DeepSeek – Draft emails, reports, and summaries and brainstorm ideas
- Grammarly – AI grammar and tone-checking for professional writing
- Notion AI – Summarise notes, generate task lists, and organise workflows
- Fireflies.ai – AI meeting assistant that transcribes and summarises calls
5. Design and Creativity
- Canva (Magic Design, AI Image Generator) – Auto-generate graphics, presentations, and social media posts
- Adobe Firefly (Beta) – AI-assisted image editing, text-to-design generation
- DALL·E/Midjourney – Create custom images for marketing or brainstorming
6. Coding and Development
- GitHub Copilot – AI pair programmer that suggests code in real time
- Tabnine – AI autocomplete for developers
- Amazon CodeWhisperer – AI-powered coding assistant
7. HR and Recruitment
- LinkedIn Talent Insights – AI-driven candidate matching
- Textio – AI-powered job description optimisation
- Pymetrics – AI-based skills assessment for hiring
8. Personal Productivity
- Siri/Google Assistant/Alexa – Voice-controlled task management
- Evernote (AI Search) – Smart note organisation
- TLDR This – AI article summariser for quick reading
Your competitive edge in SEA talent acquisition
Whilst AI can undoubtedly enhance productivity, human insight will always remain irreplaceable. For businesses expanding in Southeast Asia, securing top-tier talent with AI skills – or who are open to upskilling – requires a strategic partner.
As a premier headhunting company in Thailand and Vietnam, ASW Consulting offers:
✅ AI-optimised candidate sourcing for faster, data-driven hiring.
✅ Deep regional expertise from our talent acquisition consultants in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh.
✅ Custom recruitment solutions tailored to your company according to industry standards.
Don’t let talent gaps slow your growth. Partner with our recruitment agency in Thailand and Vietnam that delivers results. Contact us through our talent acquisition specialists in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh today. Let’s future-proof your workforce and your business together.
Related blogs:
Top 10 Employee Engagement Strategies to Keep Your Best Talent
From Boomers to Gen Z: Managing Diverse Age Groups in Vietnam’s Labour Force
Building Better Leaders: Tips on Modern Leadership in the Southeast Asian Workplace
