Paysend CEO Restricts AI Tool Access to High-Performing Employees

Payments technology firm Paysend is taking a deliberate approach to artificial intelligence implementation, with CEO Ben Chisell opting to restrict access to AI tools to only his highest-performing employees. Chisell believes that handing out these tools broadly without clear purpose can magnify poor work habits and bad judgment.

Chisell, who previously worked at Amazon, eBay, and Starling Bank, suggests that while AI can increase efficiency, its value is realized through strategic application. He advises companies to focus on solving customer problems rather than succumbing to the hype around AI. This contrasts with companies like Lloyds Banking Group and Grant Thornton UK, which have pursued wider AI rollouts across their workforces.

Data from a UK government study indicates that while 75% of businesses using AI reported improved productivity, 77% saw no change in revenue. This highlights the ongoing challenge for companies to translate AI adoption into tangible financial gains, reinforcing Chisell's cautious stance.

At Paysend, new hires are given a month to experiment with AI tools and demonstrate their value. Chisell's strategy emphasizes proving the utility of AI before widespread adoption, ensuring that the technology serves specific business objectives and enhances, rather than hinders, employee performance.