Lattice CEO Sarah Franklin on Scaling People, Not Just AI

The pervasive narrative surrounding artificial intelligence often fixates on job displacement, painting a picture of an impending robotic takeover. Yet, as Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice, articulated on CNBC's Squawk Box, the future of AI in the workplace hinges not on replacing humans, but on amplifying their potential. Franklin spoke with Becky Quick and Joe Kernen about how businesses must pivot to a "people-first" approach, a principle core to Lattice’s human resources and AI platform, to navigate the evolving landscape of work.

Her perspective directly addresses the anxieties articulated by figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who acknowledges that "there will be very hard parts like whole classes of jobs going away." Franklin, whose company helps over 5,000 businesses manage their human capital, insists that the fear, uncertainty, and doubt currently swirling around AI’s impact on employment must be met with a proactive strategy that champions human success. "Businesses, they need to put people first because if you only prioritize the AI, you're going to end up with robots talking to robots," she warned, emphasizing the critical need for human connection and trust, particularly with customers.

Lattice's approach is designed to "scale the human element." This means leveraging AI to provide personalized coaching and assistance that was previously unattainable for every employee due to budget or resource constraints. Imagine a personalized career coach, tailored to an individual’s learning style and professional goals, available to every team member. Franklin highlights that this isn't about automating the manager out of a job, but rather empowering managers to be more effective and employees to grow.

This is an incredible opportunity.

Lattice’s diverse customer base, spanning from tech giants like OpenAI and Discord to traditional retailers such as Mejuri, demonstrates the universal applicability of this human-centric AI model. These companies are not merely adopting AI for efficiency; they are leveraging it to cultivate a more engaged, skilled, and purposeful workforce. For Franklin, the ultimate goal is to make work meaningful. We spend a significant portion of our adult lives at work, she observed, and ensuring that time is imbued with purpose and a clear understanding of one's contribution to team and company goals is paramount. This vision transcends mere technological advancement, aiming for a future where AI serves as a powerful co-pilot, guiding humans toward greater fulfillment and collective success.