Feature
Workplaces today can be complex. Hybrid work scatters teams across locations and time zones, employees have different communication styles, and cultural or generational differences may influence how people prefer to interact. These factors disrupt collaboration and reduce productivity.
But an emerging technology known as nudgetech could resolve some of these issues, according to Gartner, which listed nudgetech as one of its Future of Work Trends for 2025.
What Is Nudgetech
Nudgetech refers to artificial intelligence-powered tools incorporated into daily workflows that are designed to encourage people to take certain types of action — for instance, something to improve time management or communication with coworkers, said Rania Stewart, a vice president analyst in the Gartner HR Practice.
Nudges differ from reminders, which are usually for tasks you have to do. They may look like reminders, Stewart acknowledged, but nudges are typically suggestions to help change behaviors, such as working more efficiently. “Nudgetech has freedom of choice,” she said, adding that users can choose to act on or ignore the nudge.
Nudgetech tools aim to align communication styles and improve collaboration in complex work environments, Gartner said. Here’s what to know about them.
How Nudgetech Works
“A nudge could be something like, ‘Hey, don't forget to take a water break or stand up,’ those kinds of behavioral cues,” said Marlon Twyman, assistant professor of communication at the University of Southern California, who studies how teams and organizations interact in the digital age.
While these types of nudges typically pop up in fitness trackers and weight-loss apps, organizations may use something similar as part of workplace wellness programs, according to a LinkedIn post by IC Partners, a public relations and communications firm.
Nudges, which he called a “promising” technology, have many other uses across the workplace, Twyman said. For instance, the technology could keep managers updated on a project’s progress or offer recurrent feedback, he said.
“Imagine a manager getting nudged to check in on the people who report to them before major milestones or at regular cadences,” Twyman said. The technology could also prompt managers to check in on someone who hasn’t logged into a software for a certain period of time.
Other uses for nudges include suggestions for appropriate email response times based on a sender’s preference; time management tips, such as to check a calendar first thing in the morning; security prompts for employees to change passwords or recommendations for team members to be included on projects based on their expertise.
Increasingly, nudgetech technology is being incorporated into digital workplace tools such as Microsoft, Workday or BetterUp, according to Gartner. Stewart views nudegetech as the “next evolution of prescriptive coaching,” which is goal-oriented, flexible and tailored guidance, rather than telling a user exactly what to do.
The technology also often adapts to users, Stewart said. If they ignore certain nudges but read through others, for example, the tools will begin sending ones they’re more likely to read.
The Potential Benefits of Nudgetech
Nudgetech’s goal is to use technology to drive small, beneficial behavioral changes that benefit employees and organizations, Stewart said. “For organizations, it’s being able to bring work guidance and coaching closer to the flow of work.”
The technology helps organizations develop a culture that’s more agile, adaptive, innovative, security-minded and human-centric, Stewart said.
“It could be a nice training mechanism,” Twyman said. For instance, once employees follow a nudge and change their behaviors, they no longer need to be nudged or may need different nudges.
“It’s a good example of technology that’s designed to be supportive,” Twyman added.
Nudgetech could also be used to facilitate how employees structure communications, such as helping them remember to email a coworker instead of sending a Slack message, Twyman said. This could help close some communication gaps, such as by better managing communication flow and supporting collaboration.
How to Incorporate Nudgetech
Nudgetech is still fairly new, but it’s becoming more popular, Stewart said. For organizations interested in adopting the technology, here are a few tips to consider.
Consider the Number of Messages
Companies often face employee pushback when implementing new technology, especially when it’s AI-related, said Gregg Ward, founder of the Center for Respectful Leadership, who often advises companies on communication strategies.
Organizations should be cautious when adding messages to communications employees already receive. People have reported feeling bombarded with email messages, Slack notes and other communications at work.
Employees may develop “nudge fatigue” if they get too many, especially when they’re irrelevant and interfere with their productivity, Stewart agreed.
Define the Organization’s Goals
To avoid overwhelming people with nudges, think about how to use the technology in a meaningful way customized to your organization, Ward said.
Conference
Sep
16
HR Tech Conference Las Vegas 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Organizations should prioritize which areas of the business could benefit most from nudgetech, as well as the desired outcome, according to Gartner. Start small in the areas where you can make a difference, Ward recommended. For instance, if managers are struggling to stay in the loop on projects, set up nudges to encourage progress reports.
Ask technology vendors whether they incorporate nudgetech into their tools as a way to get started, Gartner suggested.
Involve Employees in Nudgetech
“Talk to the people who will be most affected first,” Twyman said. Involving employees at every step will help organizations identify areas where nudges could be useful and ensure the technology will actually solve problems, he said. Also, consider what behaviors need to be changed — for example, maybe team members need feedback alerts or to get in more steps to meet an employee wellness platform goal.
Encourage employees to share details about areas where they think nudges would be beneficial, and listen to their feedback, Ward said.
Deploy Nudgetech Strategically
Organizations may need to experiment with different nudgetech situations to find what works best for employees and the company as a whole, Gartner said.
Having goals in mind, talking to employees about problems that need solutions and understanding which behaviors need to change to achieve those outcomes will help companies derive value from their investments in nudgetech, said Twyman.
However, avoid adding another AI tool or technology simply for the sake of having it, Stewart said. Nudgetech is most beneficial in areas where organizations want to shift behaviors and drive change, such as closing communication gaps.
Nudgetech is still an emerging technology, and organizations will likely see more of it, Stewart said. “It’s something to watch — but it’s not meant for all things,” she said.
Editor's Note: Read more about tactics to encourage behavioral change below:
- The Anti-Nudge: When to Leave Employees Alone — Nudge technology aims to help. But more often than not, the most helpful thing is providing employees with a little bit of silence.
- Change Management When Employees Are Exhausted by Change — If your transformation efforts are meeting with more than the usual headwinds, it might be due to immunity to change, not resistance.
- How to Create Conflict-Resilient Work Culture — Conflicts are on the rise at organizations around the world. Here are some tips to build a resilient and respectful work environment for all employees.
