In theory, it's never been easier to be an employee. From automated emails to AI-powered lead generation, today's workplaces are filled with powerful AI productivity tools - each promising to make our working lives simpler, faster, and more efficient.
Take, for example, a typical sales team manager responsible for a group of junior sales development reps. They might use Apollo’s AI to quickly identify potential leads, Gong’s AI for gathering key insights on prospects, and Instantly's AI to automatically craft cold outreach emails. On the surface, this approach looks incredibly efficient - tasks that would have previously taken hours now can be done in minutes.
But behind this convenience, there is a hidden cost. Relying heavily on these automation-driven tools inadvertently creates two significant problems:
Firstly, we’re encouraging dependency rather than fostering critical thinking. Employees become accustomed to having tasks completed for them, reducing their ability to think independently, creatively, or strategically. Over time, this erodes essential professional skills and leaves employees ill-equipped to handle more complex responsibilities as they progress.
Secondly, despite appearances, managers aren’t actually saving much time. Automation alone doesn’t eliminate the root cause of productivity bottlenecks - such as employees struggling to prioritise effectively or lacking clear communication skills. Managers often find themselves still deeply involved, repeatedly intervening to correct mistakes, clarify instructions, or handle exceptions. Instead of reducing their workload, they've just shifted the nature of their oversight from direct task management to constant troubleshooting.
True productivity gains come not from automation alone, but from empowerment. Empowering employees, especially early-careers, involves using AI not as a replacement for human judgement but as a guide that helps employees learn essential skills for themselves.
Gen Z represents the ideal group to benefit from AI-based learning precisely because they’re at the critical stage where lasting professional habits are formed. LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report shows that 53% of Gen Z workers value learning for career progress, 16% higher than other generations: Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers. This strong desire for continuous development and feedback means they’re especially receptive to AI tools designed to coach and guide rather than automate.
Moreover, Gen Z employees often seek purposeful and engaging work environments, and monotonous roles created by excessive automation can quickly lead to dissatisfaction and higher turnover rates. A workplace that prioritises learning and growth through empowering AI not only enhances employee engagement but significantly improves retention.
Instead of automating away their tasks, AI tools that coach employees to make better decisions independently help them build the skills needed to become genuinely productive, autonomous, and effective team members. This approach naturally cultivates critical thinking, adaptability, and a sense of ownership in their roles.
At Kokoon, we embrace this philosophy. Our AI tool is designed to act as an “Assistant Manager” for early-career employees. It works with the employee to guide them and supports their development of essential skills like prioritisation, communication, and time management through targeted coaching delivered within their daily workflow. By guiding employees rather than simply completing tasks for them, Kokoon not only boosts immediate productivity but also ensures sustained professional growth, enabling managers to step back from constant oversight and truly focus on higher-level strategic objectives.
Alice Ivanoff is the cofounder of wearekokoon.com.
