New analysis by Dr. Andrew C. Lawlor and Dr. Pamayla E. Darbyshire explores how leaders can close skills gaps, redesign roles, and unlock higher-value work with generative AI

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies announces a new white paper, “Leadership Opportunities for Increasing Employee Value through Artificial Intelligence,” authored by Andrew C. Lawlor, PhD, and Pamayla E. Darbyshire, DHA, MSN/CNS, both Fellows at the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR). The paper examines how leaders can use AI, especially generative AI, to address skills gaps, restore worker autonomy, and shift employees from repetitive tasks to higher-value activities.

The authors draw upon the University’s Career Optimism Index® study and other current research, noting the context many leaders face: record-low institutional trust, 21% of workers reporting loss of control over their professional futures, and 51% reporting burnout. The authors hypothesize that leadership opportunities of thoughtful AI adoption and targeted upskilling are practical levers to improve performance and employee experience.

“AI’s value is realized when leaders redesign work and invest in upskilling, so people can move from routine tasks to higher-value responsibilities,” said Lawlor. “That combination of human development plus smart automation helps close the skills gap and strengthens organizational performance.”

Among the findings highlighted in the paper:

• AI tools and training can be critical to closing skills gaps and restoring autonomy, improving workforce efficiency and organizational outcomes.
• A growing body of research and cases indicates performance improvements of 20%+ associated with AI-enabled workflows.
• Generative AI can automate non-value-added tasks like data entry and reporting, enabling employees to focus on strategic, creative and customer-facing work.
• Realizing AI’s benefits depends on leadership practices including upskilling and transformational leadership that can reduce burnout and increase resilience and career control.
• At the macro level, the paper references estimates that AI could add up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, underscoring why organizations need concrete, people-centered AI strategies now.

“Embedding AI literacy, coaching, and clear guardrails into everyday work restores a sense of autonomy and reduces burnout,” Darbyshire stated. “Leaders who normalize training and create space for employees to use AI responsibly will see gains in engagement, confidence and results.”

The full white paper is available at the University of Phoenix Career Institute® webpage or the College of Doctoral Studies’ Research Hub.

Lawlor is a Senior Research Fellow at CEITR whose research interests include educational technology and leadership. His career has centered on education, as a classroom teacher, designing, managing, and delivering distance education programs, and leading departments of information technology for higher education institutions. He also consults on leadership strategies, particularly for information technology environments.

Darbyshire has worked in nursing for over 45 years, including over 15 years of extensive contributions in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps, and is an active member and contributor in professional associations including Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing, Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) National Research Committee, and Case Management Society of America (CSMA). She earned her doctorate in health administration from University of Phoenix in 2021; her research includes case management and chronic diseases, and recent interests have focused on AI applications and use in higher education.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

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