The University of Phoenix has released a significant white paper titled “Leadership Opportunities for Increasing Employee Value through Artificial Intelligence,” authored by Dr. Andrew C. Lawlor and Dr. Pamayla E. Darbyshire. This document, unveiled on December 9, 2025, explores how leaders can leverage AI, particularly generative AI, to enhance employee value in today’s rapidly changing work environment.
Dr. Lawlor and Dr. Darbyshire, both Fellows at the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR), emphasize the potential for AI to help address critical issues such as skills gaps and employee autonomy. They highlight alarming statistics: 21% of workers report a loss of control over their professional futures, while 51% indicate experiencing burnout. The authors argue that by thoughtfully adopting AI and focusing on targeted upskilling, organizations can improve both performance and employee experiences.
AI Adoption and Employee Development
“AI’s value is realized when leaders redesign work and invest in upskilling, allowing people to transition from routine tasks to higher-value responsibilities,” said Dr. Lawlor. This approach combines human development with smart automation, which can help close the skills gap and enhance overall organizational performance.
The white paper presents several key findings. It notes that AI tools and training are essential for closing skills gaps and restoring autonomy, which can lead to improved workforce efficiency and better organizational outcomes. Research indicates that AI-enabled workflows can deliver performance improvements of over 20%.
Generative AI is particularly highlighted for its ability to automate non-value-added tasks such as data entry and reporting. By relieving employees of these repetitive duties, organizations enable their workforce to focus on more strategic, creative, and customer-facing activities. The authors stress that realizing the benefits of AI relies heavily on effective leadership practices, including upskilling and transformational leadership. These approaches can mitigate burnout and foster resilience among employees.
The Economic Impact of AI
At a broader level, the paper references estimates suggesting that AI could contribute as much as $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. This underscores the urgent need for organizations to develop concrete, people-centered AI strategies.
“Embedding AI literacy, coaching, and clear guidelines into everyday work restores a sense of autonomy and reduces burnout,” Dr. Darbyshire stated. She further emphasized that leaders who normalize training and create opportunities for responsible AI use will see improvements in employee engagement, confidence, and overall results.
The complete white paper is available on the University of Phoenix Career Institute webpage and the College of Doctoral Studies’ Research Hub. This research provides valuable insights for leaders aiming to harness AI effectively and enhance employee value in their organizations.
