Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform the world as much as the Internet. AI is changing the way people work. AI-powered copilots are automating routine tasks, and intelligent agents that can do more on their own without constant human input. AI, if it is adopted and embraced in the correct way, will unlock worker potential, reducing the exposure to mundane manual tasks which limit productivity. The best-positioned organisations will be those that embrace a culture of continual learning and get ahead of the change.
How prepared are the workforces for this seismic shift?
A new working landscape
World Economic Forum estimates that in the next five-year period, one quarter of all jobs will be changed. The changes are well underway. 81% of workers claim that new technology has affected the skills needed to perform their roles, and 46% say the change was major or transformational.
Although AI is relatively new in the workplace, 78% of workers expect that it will change their roles within the next two to three years. 38% of workers think they’ll need to retrain, and nearly half (45%) believe that technology will impact their job security.
Employees are optimistic about the future, despite their concerns. 80% of employees say that they are happy to be able to acquire new skills with the introduction of new technologies. Businesses that are able to keep their workers engaged during the AI revolution stand to gain from innovation.
Unequal Adoption: Unequal Benefits
A mixed picture emerges when looking at the attitudes of workers towards AI. AI is a subject that has a positive impact on 58% of workers. Two-thirds of them (67%) see AI as a friend, not a foe. AI makes their jobs easier for 46% of staff who embrace the technology. 43% claim that it has already reduced some tedious admin tasks.
This enthusiasm, however, is not universal. One third of the workers surveyed said they wanted AI banned in the workplace. In the meantime, 52% are concerned about being left behind with new technology.
The demographics of workers can play a role in their willingness to embrace AI. The younger employees are more excited about AI than their older counterparts. 57% of those over 55 feel they are ageing out of the workplace. Men and senior managers are also more interested in AI than women or manual workers. UK employees were less willing to experiment with AI than their US and Mexican counterparts.
To be successful in adopting AI by organisations, they must consider how to bring everyone on board.
Training Shortfall
To encourage the adoption of new technology, training, education and professional development are key pillars. Despite this 48% of employees surveyed are worried about the future, as they believe that their leadership team doesn’t invest in developing new technical skills.
Nearly half of employees (45%) say they are overwhelmed by the amount of new platforms and apps required for their job, while 46% believe it’s impossible to keep pace with new technology. Over half of employees (53%) say that any technology training they receive quickly becomes outdated.
To encourage adoption, it is important to educate people about AI and its purpose. Nearly half of employees (47%) confess to holding off on AI use because they’re worried about the possible consequences. A culture of secrecy around AI can develop without clear guidance. One in four employees (25%) admits to using AI with their boss’s knowledge.
Businesses could benefit by creating a culture that encourages continuous learning. This will help to build confidence in the workforce and increase adoption. Just a quarter confirms that they have had AI training. 57% of employees would like to use AI in a more extensive way. The current age and gender divides in training will also have to be addressed. Currently, 30% have AI training compared to only 11% for workers over 55. The likelihood of AI training for men (36%) is also two times higher than that of women (18%).
A Prompt Response
Businesses will need to prepare their workforces for the AI revolution. Businesses can foster a culture that encourages continuous learning by focusing on training, communication, and development. The entire organization benefits when staff are empowered to adapt to changing skills and challenges.
The same AI that workers struggle with can be used as a bridge to overcome the challenges and divides. When AI is used in the right manner, it can empower learning and development teams to deliver timely, personalised and scaled training.
https://www.cypherlearning.com/hubfs/docs/cypher/CYPHER-Learning-2024-Survey-Report-Bridging-the-digital-divide-part-2.pdf
