From AI Anxiety to AI Adoption (by popular demand)
AI anxiety has reached epidemic levels in the global workforce, with studies across the UK, US and Australia showing as many as 60 to 70% of employees concerned about AI at work, including the fear of it replacing their own job.
What can we do as leaders to navigate teams through the uncertainty and help them find the opportunity amid the anxiety? Behavioural and brain and mind sciences offer some helpful insights and techniques for your toolkit.
This workshop, presented by People and Culture Leader Helena Kuo, equips leaders with evidence-based frameworks to help understand why people resist, recognise the organisational systems that amplify or contain that resistance, and apply practical tools to drive genuine adoption, rather than performative compliance.
What is the session about?
People don’t resist AI because they don’t understand it. They resist because their brains are doing exactly what brains are designed to do: protect them from a perceived threat. Often, the organisation’s own systems, its governance gaps, trust deficits, and change fatigue, are generating anxiety faster than anyone can metabolise it.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience of threat, identity, and cognitive load in technology adoption
Behavioural science lenses
Behavioural science lenses: defaults, friction, social proof, loss framing, and timing
Emotional contagion
Emotional contagion and social dynamics of AI anxiety in teams
Trust architecture
Trust architecture: why adoption reflects trust in leadership, not trust in technology
Governance as anxiety container
Governance as anxiety container: policy design that settles nervous systems
The middle management squeeze
The middle management squeeze and the pace problem
Psychological safety
Psychological safety as the precondition for productive experimentation
Arousal reappraisal
Arousal reappraisal: transforming anxiety from threat to creative fuel.
Your ticket includes
FREE 30 days’ guest access to the following resources on the Behaviour Change Hub, giving you access to:
01
Managing teams through AI change
Managing teams through AI change
Brain and mind scientist Mark Dean provides a series of behavioural and neuroscience-based insights, tips and tools for preventing AI anxiety and navigating teams through AI-powered transformation.
02
Psychosocial hazards checklist
Psychosocial hazards checklist
An easy-to-use self-evaluation checklist enabling leaders to rate specific psychosocial hazards, both at team and organisation level, and to document their consultation with team members. Hazards are uniquely tailored to your state and territory. This is the perfect high-level introduction to managing psychosocial hazards for busy people leaders at all levels of management.
03
Spotting the signs
Spotting the signs
Spotting the signs of psychosocial hazards at work [parts 1 and 2]
Your team members on the ground can play a crucial role in assisting in the early prevention of psychosocial hazards, yet many will be unfamiliar with these newly recognised issues and their warning signs. Build awareness and improve compliance with these 10-minute microlearns, explaining each hazard through the eyes of working people in short video anecdotes.
01
Managing teams through AI change
Managing teams through AI change
Brain and mind scientist Mark Dean provides a series of behavioural and neuroscience-based insights, tips and tools for preventing AI anxiety and navigating teams through AI-powered transformation.
02
Psychosocial hazards checklist
Psychosocial hazards checklist
An easy-to-use self-evaluation checklist enabling leaders to rate specific psychosocial hazards, both at team and organisation level, and to document their consultation with team members. Hazards are uniquely tailored to your state and territory. This is the perfect high-level introduction to managing psychosocial hazards for busy people leaders at all levels of management.
03
Spotting the signs
Spotting the signs
Spotting the signs of psychosocial hazards at work [parts 1 and 2]
Your team members on the ground can play a crucial role in assisting in the early prevention of psychosocial hazards, yet many will be unfamiliar with these newly recognised issues and their warning signs. Build awareness and improve compliance with these 10-minute microlearns, explaining each hazard through the eyes of working people in short video anecdotes.
FAQs
Is this workshop technical?
No. This session focuses on behavioural science and leadership strategy — not coding or AI tool training.
Is this relevant if we are early in our AI journey?
Yes. In fact, the earlier you address trust and behavioural design, the stronger your adoption trajectory will be.
Is this only for HR?
No. It is designed for leaders, change practitioners, governance professionals and anyone responsible for AI implementation.
Will I leave with something practical?
Yes. You will leave with a structured AI Adoption Action Plan and behavioural toolkit you can apply immediately.
Is this interactive?
Yes. Expect breakout discussions, practical exercises and applied design work.
Why is this workshop 60 minutes?
Because clarity beats length. This session is designed to deliver focused, high-impact insight without unnecessary content overload.
I’m in a different time zone. Can I still join?
Yes. The live session will take place at 2pm Melbourne time, and participants are welcome to join from any location.
What if i'm in Europe?
We know this timing may fall outside standard working hours in some regions. If you’re based in Europe or the UK and would prefer a more accessible time, we are planning to host a dedicated European session in the near future. Please register your interest or contact us at enquiries@enmasse2.com
What participants say
Stronger AI adoption starts here
If you’re responsible for leading AI, change or people, this session will help you understand what’s getting in the way, and what to do next.