Nudgetech: Enhancing Workplace Connections Through AI

I've been hearing a lot about AI and “nudgetech” recently and wanted to share some thoughts on how it can improve connections at work.

What is Nudgetech?

Nudgetech is AI-enabled technology designed to influence and guide user behavior in a positive direction. It creates choice architectures that encourage desired actions, enhancing productivity, improving decision-making, and achieving specific outcomes. Unlike simple notifications that often interrupt, nudgetech provides contextual “nudges” aligned with user behavior patterns. For example, it can send end-of-day reminders to address unread messages or suggest optimal times for high-priority tasks based on work patterns.

Building Connections with Nudgetech

While many businesses focus on productivity, I'm intrigued by how nudgetech can help people connect. According to a recent Gartner survey, only 53% of employees are satisfied with their professional connections, and 30% actively avoid more people at work now than two years ago. This contributes to the loneliness epidemic in work environments.

Nudgetech can potentially help by providing reminders to improve communication. For example, it can remind a team member that their boss prefers emails for specific messages or alert someone if they are interrupting others frequently during meetings (“You’ve interrupted Chris twice in the last five minutes”).

Can Nudgetech Improve Connection?

Yes, but only if employees use nudges to learn and improve their communication skills. By incorporating lessons from nudgetech reminders, employees can enhance empathy, understanding, and collaboration. Organizations can support this by investing in communication training to teach new interaction methods.

I genuinely believe that AI tools like nudgetech can improve worker efficiency and offer opportunities for meaningful connections. This can happen if organizations, managers, and employees focus on growing their interpersonal skills while using new tools to prioritize and automate tasks effectively.

How do you think nudgetech could potentially enhance connection in your workplace?