 "Revealed: What workers using AI fear the most")
Using AI at work? You’re not the only one.
That’s what the 2024 Work Trend Index released by Microsoft and LinkedIn shows.
The study entitled AI at work is here. Now comes the hard part also warns that more people want to quit their jobs now than during the ‘Great Resignation.’
“AI is democratising expertise across the workforce,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was quoted as saying in the study. “Our latest research highlights the opportunity for every organisation to apply this technology to drive better decision-making, collaboration — and ultimately business outcomes.”
Let’s take a closer look at the takeaways of the survey:
What we know
The study polled 31,000 people in 31 countries including US, UK, Germany, France, India, Singapore, Australia and Brazil, according to CNBC.
It also examined labour and hiring trends on LinkedIn, signals from Microsoft 365 productivity and feedback from customers of Fortune 500 companies.
It showed more and more people are using AI at work in 2024.
According to the data, 75 per cent of knowledge workers are using AI at work
Quartz quoted 46 per cent of respondents as saying that they had begun using AI recently.
Ninety percent of workers said it saves time, while 84 per cent said it boosts creativity so employees can focus on other work. Seventy-eight per cent of employees across age groups said they are bringing their own AI tools to the office.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsCNBC quoted the study as saying that there are predominantly four types of users – of which the ‘power users’ use it most.
These users say they save 30 minutes per day using AI.
Over 90 per cent of these ‘power users’ say AI makes their work more enjoyable and their load more manageable.
Around 61 per cent of such users say they have likely heard their CEO expound on generative AI, 53 per cent are more likely to be encouraged by their bosses to use AI and 35 per cent have likely received training to help them deploy AI more effectively.
“AI is redefining work and it’s clear we need new playbooks,” Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn was quoted as saying. “It’s the leaders who build for agility instead of stability and invest in skill building internally that will give their organisations a competitive advantage and create more efficient, engaged and equitable teams.”
Workers worried
As per CNBC, more than half of users say they would not like to admit they are using AI.
Fifty-three per cent say admitting this would make it appear as if they are expendable at work.
Quartz quoted 45 per cent of workers as saying they worry AI will replace their jobs.
Which may be why many say they are thinking about leaving their jobs this year.
Forty-six per cent of respondents admitted to thinking about quitting their jobs.
According to Quartz, 68 per cent of respondents said AI was a challenge, while 48 per cent said they were mentally and physically wiped out.
Colette Stallbaumer, general manager of Microsoft Copilot and co-founder of Microsoft WorkLab, told CNBC Make It that workers need to adjust to the new reality.
“The more you can as an employee lean in and learn, the better off you’re going to be,” Stallbaumer said. “I think that’s where people have to get over the fear hump a little bit and move into optimism, move into a growth mindset, taking the opportunity to learn these skills, because all of the data shows it’s going to make them more marketable, whether you’re inside your company today, or looking to make a move or get hired.”
What do bosses think?
The study also some interesting light on the attitude of bosses around the world.
CNBC quoted the study as showing that 66 per cent of managers as saying they would not hire a person without AI skills. Meanwhile, 71 per cent of leaders would prefer to hire a worker with less experience who has AI skills over a more experienced worker with no AI skills.
Fifty-five per cent of bosses say they are concerned they may not be able to find people suited to fill open positions.
Those in cybersecurity, engineering, and creative design are most worried.
Despite this, many workplaces are seemingly playing catch up to employees.
Around half of bosses are not planning to bring in AI tools this year.
Only a fourth of companies are preparing to offer generative AI training.
According to Quartz, 79 per cent of bosses said AI is important to retain their edge on their rivals.
Meanwhile, 59 per cent said they were concerned about properly measuring productivity increases from AI.
Sixty per cent said company’s leadership “lacks a plan and vision to implement AI.”
“What’s interesting about the data is it feels like employees are getting it in terms of the adoption of AI but it feels like companies are not yet fully getting it,” Aneesh Raman, vice president and workforce expert at LinkedIn told CNBC Make It.
The LinkedIn CEO sounded a warning for companies.
“The AI moment is here” and “it’s arriving from the bottom up” in workplaces, Roslansky told Axios. “Ignoring the technology is not an option right now.”
“Leaders who build for agility instead of stability and invest in skill-building internally will give their organisations a competitive advantage,” Roslansky added.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
