While concerns about AI-related job losses remain, 55% of business leaders are concerned about actually playing a key role. But here's the problem. 71% say they would rather hire a less experienced candidate with basic AI skills, such as the ability to use generative AI tools, than an experienced candidate who knows nothing about generative AI.
That's according to Microsoft's fourth annual Work Trend Index, released Wednesday in partnership with LinkedIn.
This year's focus is on how AI will impact jobs and the labor market. Amid continued pressure in the aftermath of the pandemic, a majority of workers are found to be using AI tools in their work. On the other hand, business leaders believe that they need to implement AI, but have a problem similar to decision paralysis.
“In the face of AI inevitability, doing nothing is not an option,” said Colette Stallbaumer, co-founder of Microsoft WorkLab and general manager of Copilot. “And that applies not only to people who want to upskill and build their careers, but also to business leaders who know they need to move but are hesitant.”
After a year focused on consumer-focused generative AI tools, we're seeing the likes of Amazon, Anthropic, and Adobe taking aim at the enterprise market with new business-focused generative AI tools. This is in line with the historical trend of technology adoption starting in the home and moving to the office.
These tools offer the promise that if managers can decide which tools to use, employees will be more efficient and have better working conditions. (Check out CNET's new AI Atlas resource page for hands-on reviews of generative AI products like Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot, as well as AI news, tips, and explanations.)
Employees are not waiting for company buy-in
The study found that 75% of “knowledge workers” – people who typically work at a desk – are currently using AI in their work. Stallbaumer pointed out that this number has doubled in six months. (Microsoft did not include this question in his 2023 survey.)
Meanwhile, 78% are bringing their own AI tools to work, or what Stallbaumer calls “BYOAI.”
“Employees want AI in the workplace and are not waiting for companies to catch up,” she says. “Employees are overwhelmed and under pressure at work and are turning to her AI for relief.”
But BYOAI does come with risks, and Stallbaumer said this should be a wake-up call for business leaders to implement AI plans.
“Don't put your company's data at risk,” she added. “We provide authorized tools so employees can receive guidance and know what to do.”
Executives are holding back
79% of business leaders understand that AI in the workplace is essential to staying competitive, but research shows that many simply don't know how to deploy AI at scale. Ta.
“They feel pressure to show ROI immediately,” Stallbaumer said. “This uncertainty is hindering our vision.”
This is despite the fact that profits for individual employees are increasing. According to Microsoft statistics, people who used AI tools reduced the time they spent on email by 25% to 45%.
“The benefit is there,” Stallbaumer said. “And now is the time for leaders to figure out how to turn these benefits into business value.”
The key is to start with problems like long customer service phone calls or sorting through large numbers of job applications and apply AI to make these processes more efficient.
“People are going to use these tools, but how do they use them? [leaders] Will it help people use them safely and reliably, ultimately helping them control costs and improve growth, revenue and profitability? asked Mr. Stallbaumer.
Support organizations develop “power users”
Some employees who use AI at work are what the study calls “AI power users,” or people who leverage AI to make their workload more manageable and enjoyable, resulting in 1 Some people save about 30 minutes per day.
“The pace, intensity and volume of work that really accelerated during the pandemic has not slowed down,” Stallbaumer said. “For every email a typical person sends, he has to read four emails, spends more time in meetings, spends more time doing after-hours work, and actually That momentum shows no signs of slowing down.”
However, the study found that these power users work in supportive organizations. Power users are 61% more likely to have heard from their CEO about using generative AI at work, 53% more likely to have received encouragement, and have received role-specific AI training. 35% more likely to have At the same time, only 39% of people using generative AI in the workplace have received on-the-job training.
“Power users aren't born, they're made,” Stallbaumer said.
Power users are also more likely to experiment with AI and are more likely to continue using it even if their first attempt at a particular task is unsuccessful.
Editor's note: CNET used an AI engine to create dozens of stories and label them accordingly. The notes you are reading are attached to articles that substantively cover the topic of AI, all written by professional editors and writers. Learn more about. AI policy.
