Jarad Johnson: Human-First Workplaces in the Age of AI

On Wednesday, September 3, Biz 417 hosted more than 380 attendees at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center excited to learn where they rank among the best places to work in southwest Missouri.

A huge thanks to our presenting sponsor, Grooms Office Environments, and to Brightspeed, Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors, 37 North Expeditions, Elite Mercedes and Sign Pro for helping us shine a light on the workplaces that make southwest Missouri a great place to grow.

For the third year in a row, Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors took the top spot in the best small companies to work for (15–99 employees).

Keep Supply ranked eighth two years ago and second last year in the small employer category, but they made a huge leap this year to claim the No. 1 spot in the large employer category (100 or more employees).

All of the teams brought the energy to Best Places to Work, but Keep Supply won the award for most team spirit, presented by sponsor 37 North. One of their team members may or may not have arrived fully dressed as a walrus… The team received an expedition of their choice.

To see where the rest of the top businesses rank and read more about them, check out our recent feature.

Jarad Johnson of Mostly Serious and Habitat Communication & Culture was the keynote speaker for the event with a talk titled “Human-First Workplaces in the Age of AI.” Here are our top three takeaways.

1. Communicate Clearly About AI

AI sparks both excitement and anxiety. Johnson emphasized that leaders can’t simply hand employees new tools and hope for the best. Instead, they need to be transparent about how AI will be used, where it adds value and where human judgment is still needed. “Generative AI is unlikely to replace your job,” Johnson said. “But somebody who understands how to use these tools well very likely will replace you in your role if you're not learning how to use them.”

2. Choose the Right Future

Let’s talk about the future. Johnson believes there are two options: the Algorithmic Workplace and the Human–AI Partnership. In the Algorithmic Workplace, AI dictates schedules, scripts conversations and optimizes productivity at the cost of fulfillment. It treats humans as resources to be optimized.

The Human–AI Partnership treats AI as a tool to amplify what makes us human. AI streamlines work, allowing people to focus on creativity, relationships and meaningful contributions. “That’s the future that you all can build, but it is up to you, and it’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be automatic,” Johnson said. “We have to make these decisions. And we can lead here in our region. We can make sure that we’re adopting AI the way that we wish the world adopted AI.”

3. Protect Humanity at Work

Johnson emphasized that through these technological changes and advancements, we must protect human connection and support. “AI makes options,” he said. “Humans make decisions,” he said. This technology can make work more efficient and uncover insights we might otherwise miss, but he reminded the audience that only people can offer comfort, empathy and connection.