Artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon. It’s here, and it’s already transforming how we work. As Sachi Kittur, the Human Resources Professionals Association’s (HRPA) Vice-President of Human Experience and Innovation, recently told The Globe and Mail in the article “Using AI at work? Be open and honest about it, experts say,” the real challenge isn’t just about using AI, it’s about being open and honest when we do. 

“You should absolutely be open about it,” Sachi explains. “AI is the new way of working smarter. People who are using it should not be hiding. But workplaces need to build a culture of trust about AI.” 

That culture of trust and effective use is exactly what many organizations are still figuring out. A recent KPMG Canada report found that 61% of Canadian workers say they already use AI on the job—yet more than half admit it’s led to errors, unchecked outputs, or reduced effort. The takeaway? The tools are powerful, but without clear guidance and open dialogue, the risks grow. 

So how can organizations and employees move forward with confidence? Here are three practical steps: 

  1. Leaders: Set the tone. Be transparent about your own AI use, and invite teams to do the same. When leaders model openness, they reduce stigma and encourage honest dialogue. 
  1. Make disclosure simple. Create light-touch guidelines that spell out when AI use should be flagged (e.g., in formal reports or client-facing work) and when it may not be necessary (like spellcheck-level edits). 
  1. Prioritize learning. Offer training on AI’s risks, opportunities, and best practices so employees feel equipped—not fearful—to use it responsibly. 

At the HRPA, we believe the future of work depends on balancing innovation with integrity. For AI to be a true enabler, employees need to feel safe disclosing its use and leaders must set the tone by modeling transparency and showing how AI can make work better, not replace the human spark at its core. 

Read the full Globe and Mail article, “Using AI at work? Be open and honest about it, experts say”, featuring Sachi here.