Investments in AI and AI PCs are now critical to talent retention
Organizations renew their business device portfolio on average every four years. For many, however, this timeline went out the window – for lack of a better wording – in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the urgent need to equip remote workers with devices that fit what we thought at the time. The time may be a short period of remote work.
That was four years ago now – and the world of work has changed immeasurably – or at least in three important ways.
1. Companies and their employees work in different ways. Many now need devices that are powerful enough to work remotely, but also light enough to travel with.
2. Support for Windows 10 ends in October 2025, and many companies are deciding whether to invest in virtualization or Windows 11-compatible devices.
3. AI continues to reimagine what’s possible in the workplace. Keeping up with rapid technological innovation – and ensuring your devices are future-proof and future-proof – are becoming increasingly challenging.
Ultimately, budgets for device upgrades are finite and likely won’t be replenished for another four years or so. So organizations need to ensure that their devices are suitable for their current working model, but are also able to keep pace with the evolution of your business over the next four years.
AI is a great example of what this looks like in practice.
Head of Surface Commercial, Microsoft UK.
What do we mean by an AI PC?
When it comes to AI, we are talking about a step change in the way we work and the way we use technology. For a device purchased today to be suitable for use in the next four years, it must be able to efficiently use AI-powered tools. There’s a lot of talk about AI PCs, but the mechanisms under the hood of some AI PCs are purpose-built to work the way AI works. These devices are designed to give workers the speed and versatility they need to work anywhere, anytime – with AI as a supporting partner.
To put it bluntly, there is a risk for those who choose to invest in traditional PCs during their upcoming refresh cycle – that they may not be able to realize the full benefits of new AI tools and technologies. This could cause them to lag behind the competition, disengage employees (more on this below) and – potentially – force IT decision makers (ITDMs) to invest in an out-of-cycle upgrade of their devices, making it company is financially disadvantaged.
Beyond finances, however, we see that there is a clear demand from employees to be successful when it comes to AI – which in itself is a crucial driver in determining where to focus technology investments. According to a recent research report commissioned by Microsoft, ‘The AI + Talent Equation’, 60% of employees looking to change employers say they would stay longer if their current company allowed them to develop more digital skills. The report also shows that younger generations are more likely to change jobs or careers to future-proof their skills and prospects in an AI-powered world.
The challenge of digital skills
AI and AI PCs are not only tools for automating tasks, but also proven enablers of new ways of working. Many of the skills needed to leverage these are intuitive – and rooted in natural language. However, there is a new set of skills and behaviors that need to be identified, encouraged and enabled. For example, to make the most of AI, it’s essential that users know how to create effective prompts and when to supercharge their workflow with an AI-powered tool. However, many employees lack the confidence and training to use AI in their daily work and adapt to changing roles and expectations.
This has implications for talent retention and career satisfaction, especially for younger employees. The research report mentioned above also shows that only 36% of employees feel they have the skills needed to use AI in their daily work, with this figure dropping to 24% for Gen X. While this figure rises to 56% of Gen Z workers, one in two Gen Z workers (50%) say they are taking active steps to future-proof their careers. The youngest working generation is also twice as likely (41%) to change companies, specifically to future-proof their career, than the average worker (19%).
How to make AI work for your business and your people
Importantly, though, there are a multitude of ways AI and AI PCs can help businesses and workers realize the future of work, and leverage AI as a retention tool. But it requires a strategic approach that aligns technology, skills and culture. Here are some of the steps I would recommend to ITDMs.
Provide employees with access to training and resources that can help them develop their digital skills and confidence in using AI. And the good news is that AI can help here. Online training platforms give employees access to personalized and interactive learning paths that can teach them how to use AI in their work. For example, we offer a course on the fundamentals of Gen AI, which explores how language models enable AI applications and services to generate original content from natural language input.
Another important step is to foster a culture of learning and innovation that encourages employees to experiment with AI, share their ideas and feedback, and collaborate across teams and functions. Host weekly breakout sessions and encourage employees to share their learnings and challenges with AI to create an environment where AI is celebrated. Start a central source with the best directions, access to the best copilots and examples of results.
In addition to fostering a culture of learning and innovation, and providing training and resources to employees, ITDMs should also work with the C-Suite and HR leaders to ensure everyone understands the role technology plays in talent retention .
Given the rapid pace of AI innovation and the competitive landscape of the modern workplace, it is critical that employers equip their employees with the best tools and capabilities to use AI in their work. Otherwise, they risk losing their talent to other organizations that are more progressive and agile in adopting AI. Employees today want to work for companies that enable them to grow their skills and career prospects, and that recognize the value of AI as a driver of business transformation and employee satisfaction. By investing in AI-ready devices, such as AI PCs, and providing training and support for AI tools, employers can demonstrate their commitment to their employees and their future.
We recommended the best AI phone.
This article was produced as part of Ny BreakingPro’s Expert Insights channel, where we profile the best and brightest minds in today’s technology industry. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Ny BreakingPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing, you can read more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro