New research from Avanade shows that employees may be more optimistic about artificial intelligence than they were this time last year.
The company’s survey of more than 3,000 business and IT leaders found that nearly two-thirds (64%) expect AI to retain or grow their company’s workforce in the coming year, with an average growth of 9%.
The positive news comes almost a year after ChatGPT’s launch, sending shockwaves worldwide and leaving many employees concerned about their job security.
AI could create more jobs
While an overwhelming majority (95%) of employees are optimistic about the impact of AI, some important steps remain unmade as companies continue to struggle to get to grips with the new technology.
Less than half (48%) of organizations have implemented specific guidelines or policies around the responsible use of AI, which is four percentage points fewer than when the same question was asked in March.
A similar number (49%) say they do not have the greatest confidence in their organization’s risk management processes for enterprise-wide GenAI integration.
Despite its significant impact on productivity and efficiency, AI is clearly not a plug-and-play tool, and it appears that companies are not adequately preparing for its adoption and implementation.
In an effort to quantify the impact of AI, Avanade found that Microsoft 365 Copilot and similar generative AI writers can impact up to 20 hours of an employee’s average week, or about half the time spent he or she spends at a desk.
Florin Rotar, Chief AI Office of Avanade, said: “Not only must companies take action to prepare their people with the essential skills needed to use AI effectively, but now is also the time for leaders to prepare to a future in which AI comes first through well-designed, defined and responsible strategies.”