– Marisa Santos, Head of Business Communications
Why Are People Afraid to Admit They Use AI at Work?
In conversations about work and productivity, I often hear people insist that they never use AI tools like ChatGPT. Some even seem hesitant to acknowledge that AI plays any role in their professional lives. But why?
Why would someone feel uncomfortable admitting they use a tool that helps them work more efficiently and produce better results? Shouldn’t leveraging technology to enhance performance be seen as a strength rather than something to hide?
The Fear of Automation
One possible explanation is the lingering fear that AI might eventually replace human jobs. Many professionals worry that if they rely too much on AI, it could highlight how easily their work can be automated. This concern is not unfounded—certain repetitive tasks are being automated—but AI is more of a collaborator than a competitor. It enhances human capabilities rather than eliminating them. The most successful professionals won’t be the ones who resist AI but the ones who learn to use it strategically.
The Stigma of ‘Cheating’
Another factor could be the perception that using AI is somehow “cheating.” There’s an ingrained belief that hard work should take time and effort, and that using a tool to speed up processes is less legitimate. But consider how we’ve embraced other tools in the past—calculators didn’t make mathematicians obsolete, and spellcheck didn’t destroy writing skills. Instead, these tools allowed professionals to focus on higher-level thinking and creativity rather than getting stuck in tedious details. AI is no different.
Taking Control of AI Before It Controls Us
The real risk is not using AI—it’s failing to learn how to use it effectively. AI is not a passing trend; it’s becoming an integral part of how businesses operate. If we don’t embrace it and understand its strengths and limitations, we may find ourselves at a disadvantage while others move ahead. The key is not to fear AI but to take control of it, using it as a tool to make better decisions.
So, instead of asking whether AI will replace jobs, maybe we should be asking: How can we use AI to enhance what we do best?
Southern and the FSPO team collaborated together in producing the results for the Overview of Complaints Report 2024.
We produced a comprehensive 100-page report, in both English and Irish, ensuring full accessibility. The project also included supporting video, animation, and social media assets to enhance public engagement.
This report highlights key insights from complaint trends across the financial and pensions sectors.
Southern were commissioned by Limerick City & County Council to create and develop a new logo for Limerick at Night and Twilight Thursday.
Our creative team went through the process of creating options and then developing and refining the chosen options.
Part 1 – Limerick at Night/Night Time Economy
Limerick is one of nine pilot locations in Ireland selected for the Government’s Night-Time Economy Initiative, aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive urban nightlife.
Part 2 – Twilight Thursday
“Twilight Thursday”, a monthly night time event where businesses, cultural venues, and hospitality businesses stay open late, offering special events like performances, talks, or pop-up markets to enhance activity in the city centre.
New Brand Design, Naming & Trademark
We recently collaborated with the Kerry Agribusiness Project Team to develop a comprehensive new brand identity. Our work included in-depth research and evaluation of potential brand names, ultimately leading to the creation of a distinctive name and trademark.
We then designed a fresh, modern logo and visual identity that aligned with the brand’s strategic vision.
The project concluded with the rollout of various branded collateral materials, bringing the new identity to life across multiple touchpoints.
Community
Limerick Person of the Month
The Limerick Person of the Month award is sponsored by the Southern, Limerick Leader amd the Clayton Hotel.
World record holder Kate Healy was recently named Limerick Person of the Month for her ‘Indomitable Limerick Spirit’.
Kate Healy, from Corbally, broke a world record when she completed a row of 256,480 metres in 24 hours to raise funds for children attending St. Gabriels where she works as a therapist. Kate raised a remarkable €60k for St.Gabriels.
These awards are in recognition of a Limerick person or group who best exemplifies the spirit of Limerick.
Each of the twelve monthly award recipients are celebrated and one is chosen as the Limerick Person of the Year – a representative of all our monthly winners.
How to create Professional Presentations
We help our clients to build effective and engaging presentations, that allow to showcase and discuss complex subjects in a dynamic and accessible way.
