AI on the team?

Turns out, two human‑centric factors steer whether that goes smoothly: how people feel about AI, and whether they get to choose when to use it. Teams already excited about smart tools may find mandatory roll‑outs stifling. Conversely, groups that start off skeptical sometimes bond over learning curves when AI becomes part of the rulebook.

Kate Bezrukova, associate professor of organization and human resources in the UB School of Management, and fellow researchers wove together decades of work in psychology, information systems and engineering to map out a team‑level playbook. They show that teams with a positive view of AI flourish when AI is optional and falter when it’s forced. Meanwhile, teams with a negative perception of AI can rally around a shared challenge when AI use is mandated. It’s a lesson in balance: too little push leaves potential untapped; too much freedom doesn’t guarantee buy‑in.

“This asymmetry has to do with the fact that taking away a team’s autonomy made those who were open to AI more resistant,” says Bezrukova. “On the other hand, when teams already had a negative attitude toward AI, a push from management actually helped.”

That finding lands as the School of Management pilots AI across curricula and partnerships. In service‑learning courses, students help local nonprofits implement chatbots that answer donor questions. In the Center for Marketing Analytics, workshops guide teams through building recommendation engines for small businesses. Even capstone projects now include AI‑driven dashboards so future leaders learn to interpret real‑time insights. By matching launch strategies to team sentiment — and by offering real choice — programs avoid resistance and ignite genuine curiosity.

So, where to go from here? First, take the pulse: Survey teams to gauge excitement or concern. Next, craft flexible adoption paths, perhaps a “choose your own AI adventure” pilot track. Finally, treat each rollout as an iteration: collect feedback, tweak features and then roll out wider.

When people feel heard and have a stake in the process, they’re far more likely to welcome an algorithmic ally. At the UB School of Management, blending thoughtful leadership with cutting‑edge tech ensures that AI doesn’t just live in research papers — it thrives in everyday problem‑solving. And who knows? Your next standout teammate might just be a line of code.

This story was written by AI and edited by a member of the UB School of Management Marketing and Communications Office.