Wilftek attorney quoted in Technical.ly article on human-centered AI in the workplace
- Josh Waterston
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 9 minutes ago
I just read one of the more grounded takes on AI in the workplace that I've seen in a while. Kommunity.app founder Amaury Abreu wrote in Technical.ly, making a strong case that AI adoption only works when people come first. And he was kind enough to quote me in the article.
Amaury's message is clear: AI should augment human judgment and relationships, not try to replace them. What also struck me was his focus on upskilling and thoughtful use. Instead of fearing AI disruption, we should be asking how to help people learn these tools and actually use them in ways that make their work better, not more overwhelming. In other words, we should have human-centered AI tools.
As I shared with the author:
“Generative AI can analyze and summarize data efficiently, and usually accurately. But it can’t replace human interaction and understanding.”
In addition, I pointed out that:
“AI lacks that human touch... Think of how much you enjoy talking to a customer service AI bot before hopefully reaching a person.”
That’s the heart of it. In client-facing roles or any job with nuance, empathy and conversation still matter. We need to keep talking about how to balance productivity gains with businesses that focus on supporting both the public and their employees.
Human-centered AI in the workplace: Empathy brings legal benefits
This human-centered approach to AI in the workplace also brings compliance benefits. "Human in the loop" isn't just a management buzzword. It's increasingly required by AI regulations and guidance - for example, in hiring, in developing consumer-facing tools, and especially in automated decisions that affect people's lives. The EU AI Act lands on the same principle Amaury is writing about, just from a different direction: keep humans involved in decisions that affect people, and be transparent about what your AI tools are actually doing.
The law is catching up to what good leaders already know. Bias audits, disclosure requirements, and the requirement of human review aren't a legal bolt out of the blue: leading companies figured out long ago that people want to deal with businesses that actually treat them like people. If you're already building your AI rollout around empathy, you probably also have a leg up in your compliance requirements.
The article closes with a solid reminder: AI isn’t here to replace connection; it’s here to strengthen it. Leaders should be thinking about how these tools can make work and life better, while also being honest about the risks.
If you’re thinking about the future of work, this one’s worth your time.
