Why is there lack of trust in AI?

Happy New Year and welcome to the Property AI Tools Newsletter!

Today I’ll be exploring:

• The key causes for the lack of trust in AI

• The impact of AI distrust in the workplace

• 5 steps for improving team morale and increasing the positive perception of AI

Reasons for Lack of Trust in AI

Despite AI’s potential, there is a significant lack of trust in AI tools, especially within workplaces. This distrust isn’t unwarranted, it stems from deep-rooted fears, past experiences, and ongoing concerns about how AI operates and its impact on decision-making. Let’s break down key reasons why AI trust in the workplace is still fragile. Let’s explore some of the main reasons why employees and leadership may not trust AI:

Fear of the Unknown

When faced with something you don’t fully understand, hesitation is natural. For many, AI feels like a mysterious black box. You might question, “How does it actually work?” or “What decisions is it making behind the scenes?” This type of uncertainty often triggers fear of the unknown.

Employees and leadership may feel like they’re handing over control to something they can’t fully grasp. Without basic knowledge of AI's technologies, it’s easy to imagine worst-case scenarios or assume the system will make errors. In real estate, where every decision impacts livelihoods, this lack of understanding can lead to outright rejection of AI solutions. Ultimately, people are unlikely to trust what they can’t see, hear, or fully comprehend and AI often falls into that category.

Transparency Issues

Unfortunately, many AI systems operate in ways that offers zero transparency. Algorithms often don't clearly explain their reasoning, LLM’s (like ChatGPT) don’t tell you about information sources, leaving you to wonder how they came to a particular conclusion. This lack of insight creates doubt, especially when outcomes don’t align with expectations.

For instance, if an AI tool suggests pricing a property lower than the market average, you’d probably ask why. But if the system doesn’t clearly show how it arrived at that recommendation, you’ll hesitate to rely on it. Without a transparent process, people assume the AI is either flawed or hiding something and neither builds trust in the workplace.

Data Privacy Concerns

With AI relying on large amounts of data and concealed sources, there’s a fear around data security. Questions like “Will my data stay private?” or “Who has access to this information?” are valid. These concerns are amplified in industries like real estate, where sensitive financial and personal data are involved.

If employees or clients suspect their data could be misused or leaked, trust in the AI plummets. From potential identity theft to fraud, the consequences of poor data handling are too severe to ignore. Until organisations can demonstrate that their AI safeguards data responsibly, scepticism will remain a barrier to adoption.

Negative Uses of AI Perpetuated by the Media

The media isn’t always kind when discussing AI. Stories of AI being used for surveillance, identity theft, or even malicious purposes tend to grab headlines. While these incidents might be rare, they dominate public perceptions.

If all you see are reports of AI being misused, it’s only natural to feel wary. This negativity transfers into workplace settings. Employees may wonder whether they can trust the systems being used, Leadership might hesitate over fears of reputational damage. When AI’s potential is framed primarily in negative contexts, building trust becomes an uphill battle.

Influence on Employee Morale

When people believe AI is unreliable or even threatening, it creates anxiety. Your team might worry they’ll be replaced by the technology or blamed for its mistakes. This uncertainty doesn’t just harm trust in the AI, it can cause a ripple effect across the whole business.

Workplace culture thrives on clarity and confidence. If doubts about AI persist, they can lead to division. Some team members might resent the push to use tools they mistrust, creating friction across departments. Over time, this affects employee attitudes and weakens the positive spirit needed for successful AI implementation.

By addressing these concerns, you can avoid these pitfalls and unlock the full potential of AI-driven tools. Here are a few helpful steps to help increase morale:

1. Educating stakeholders: Education is the first step to addressing negative perceptions. Start by offering simple, relatable explanations of AI’s purpose and capabilities. Forget the jargon, simply explain with real-world examples that connect to their daily tasks.

2. Workshops and training sessions: These allow stakeholders to see the tech in action, ask questions, and explore its potential.

3. Clear privacy policies: Customers and employees want to know precisely what data is collected, how it’s used, and who has access to it. Providing straightforward answers to these concerns shows you prioritise their security.

4. Regulatory compliance: For an extra layer of reassurance, consider third-party audits of your AI systems to ensure they comply with regulation like the EU AI Act. Independent evaluations demonstrate that your systems meet industry benchmarks for data protection, boosting confidence without you having to say a word.

5. Open communication channels: Encourage employees and clients to voice their concerns or question AI-powered outcomes. Being open to feedback not only builds trust but allows you to refine your systems in meaningful, user-driven ways.

By focusing on education, security, and transparency, you can build a workplace where AI tools are not just accepted but embraced.

Conclusion

Successfully shifting the perception of AI tools from negative to positive will get you 50% of the way to building trust in AI in the workplace. The potential of AI can only be realised once your team feel confident in its capabilities.

By prioritising education, transparency, and open communication, you can help AI evolve from a source of uncertainty into a resource that gives you the superpowers to be an even more capable real estate professional.

What steps will you take to strengthen AI trust within your workplace today?

Signing out!

Danielle