Employees optimistic about AI’s impact, but training gaps persist
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — A new Avanade survey reveals that most employees believe artificial intelligence (AI) will have a positive effect on their roles over the next year, countering fears that AI will replace human jobs.
The global survey of over 3,000 business and IT leaders found that 64% think AI will maintain or even increase headcount at their company, with some predicting a boost as high as 9%. Additionally, 95% of employees surveyed think AI will positively impact their work.
However, the research highlighted concerns about preparations for integrating AI. Only 48% of companies have implemented policies to ensure responsible AI use, and under half of employees fully trust risk management processes regarding enterprise-wide AI adoption.
“It’s encouraging to see a large proportion of organizations are excited to seize the benefits of AI; however, we need to be cognizant that some employees still don’t feel ready for it,” said Florin Rotar, Avanade’s Chief AI Officer, in an interview with Unleash.ai.
“Leaders must invest in support and skills to maximize comfort and proficiency with AI.”
Nearly two-thirds of organizations said employees will need new skills to work with AI by end of 2024. While 41% of CEOs believe AI tools like Microsoft Copilot will handle more work, reducing skill requirements, nearly all agreed additional training is needed.
“We’ve recently established our school of AI to provide relevant training for all of our 60,000 professionals, as well as to encourage the sharing of best practices for responsible AI,” Rotar said.
Although optimistic about AI’s future role, 92% of employees believe a shift to an AI-first operating model is needed within 12 months to meet customer expectations and stay competitive.
Upskilling employees is key to realizing AI’s potential. With proper preparation, workers are poised to embrace AI as a collaborative tool rather than a threat. Companies investing now in training and policies will be best positioned to benefit.
Avanade, which provides digital, cloud, and design services across multiple sectors in 25 countries, employs around 60,000 people globally. The company recently launched an AI academy to promote responsible AI practices.
