Paysend CEO Limits AI Access to High-Performing Employees
At Paysend, a UK-based payments technology firm, CEO Ben Chisell is taking a cautious approach to artificial intelligence by restricting access to high-performing employees who can demonstrate tangible benefits from the tools. Unlike companies such as Lloyds Banking Group and Grant Thornton UK that are broadly deploying AI across their workforces, Chisell emphasizes earned usage rather than widespread adoption. Chisell believes unrestricted AI use may amplify poor habits like laziness or bad judgment. He estimates Paysend has increased engineering output by 25% using the same-sized team but insists results require more than just access to technology. U.K. government research supports this skepticism, showing that while most businesses report productivity gains from AI, few see corresponding revenue increases. Chisell's strategy includes a trial period for new hires seeking AI tools and requires them to justify their usage after one month. This approach contrasts with broader industry trends where companies are investing heavily in AI as part of cost-cutting or efficiency strategies.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence Company Strategy Workforce Productivity