Locals on the Hibiscus Coast, get ready to dive into an exciting new development in the world of artificial intelligence (AI).

A recent study, led by University of Western Australia researchers, sheds light on how giving employees early control over AI decisions can enhance motivation and job performance—something that might shape how local businesses approach technology.

The research, conducted by Business School lecturer Dr. Frank Ma, along with colleagues Stijn Masschelein and Vincent Chong, involved 161 participants in a series of online tasks.

These tasks simulated real-world decision-making scenarios, especially in fields like banking and manufacturing, where AI is increasingly used to make recommendations.

"Imagine you're a financial specialist at a bank," Dr. Ma explains.

"You input details for a mortgage application, and the AI system suggests declining it. As a human, you might recognise nuances—‘soft’ information—that AI might miss. Having the ability to override the system can be crucial."

Accounting and Finance lecturer Frank Ma.

The study's findings suggest that employees who are empowered to overrule AI from day one are not only more motivated but also quicker to grasp complex tasks.

Dr. Ma believes that this early autonomy creates an environment where employees feel more engaged in their roles, which leads to improved learning and performance.

The research also explored the role of incentive schemes in combination with early autonomy.

Employees who were allowed to overrule AI decisions and given performance-based incentives showed higher engagement and a deeper understanding of their tasks.

This combination, the study suggests, can significantly boost employee productivity.

"Humans can pick up on nuances that artificial intelligence can’t," Dr. Ma says, "so giving people the power to make the final call over AI decisions is critical."

The study, titled Incentive Contracts and the Timing to Introduce Flexibility on Employee Learning, won the Best Paper Award for Management Accounting at the 2024 Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand conference.

The findings have sparked discussions across various industries that rely on AI, and they could very well influence how businesses on the Hibiscus Coast, and beyond, think about integrating technology into the workplace.