How are people adapting to AI in the workplace? We surveyed 1600 people to find out.
The introduction of ChatGPT may have ignited an explosion of conversation around AI in the workplace, but the reality is AI tools have been transforming the way workers do important tasks for years. For those that aren’t comfortable leveraging AI technology, the message from business leaders is clear: Get comfortable.
edX partnered with Workplace Intelligence to learn more about how AI will change work. The resulting survey included 800 non-executive knowledge workers, comprising individual contributors and managers, and 800 C-suite executives. They answered questions about their perceptions of and expectations for AI in the workplace.The survey’s key findings highlight three focus areas: how quickly AI is being adopted, why learning AI skills will be critical for employees, and how professionals are adapting to AI. Participants’ responses can offer professionals insight into an important question many may be asking themselves: Is it time to start investing in building out your AI skill set?
AI is being implemented quickly at all levels
Executives believe AI will replace many roles and functions at their organization in the next five years, including the role of CEO
Forty-seven percent of C-suite executives think that “most” or “all” of the CEO role should be automated by AI, and almost half of the CEOs surveyed agree. AI is capable of handling tasks such as executive communications and schedule management, but it also has the potential to support ideation for new markets and products. These technologies could help drive data-forward decision making at the highest levels of leadership.
Employees are less likely to believe the same as executives. One-fifth of those surveyed think AI will replace “most” or “all” of their role.
Employees are already using AI, and anticipate using it even more in the next five years
Fifty-nine percent of employees use AI in their work at least some of the time today. Even more believe they’ll be using AI at work soon: 77% say within one year and 85% say in five years. Employees expect to spend additional time on things like reviewing AI outputs, but also on more meaningful and collaborative tasks.
C-suite members are taking different approaches to AI implementation
Most C-suite members say their company is already using AI in some way. For about 41% of executives, AI use is permitted with close oversight and some precautions. Another 38% say they are moving as quickly as possible to integrate AI into their business strategy.
Whether the approach is cautionary or more focused on speed, most executives believe AI will disrupt their business strategy at least slightly; 78% say it will happen within the next year.
Learning AI skills will be vital for employees who want to progress
Most of the workforce could be required to develop AI skills soon
According to the survey results, C-suite members anticipate that 60% of their employees will need some level of proficiency either developing AI or using AI-powered tools. However, those leaders also shared they are having a difficult time preparing for this shift: 87% are struggling to find talent with the appropriate AI skill set.
Executives believe AI proficiency will provide a significant career advantage for employees
For those employees who build a strong AI skill set, leadership will reward their expertise: 82% of them say that workers who are skilled at using AI should be paid more. Three-quarters of C-suite members surveyed think those workers should be promoted more often, too.
AI could also alter the general standards set for employees. Up to 88% of executives responded that they are adjusting their company’s performance indicators and expectations due to the potential productivity gains that AI offers.
Skills diversification will still be important
Understanding specific AI skills will be crucial for professionals entering the workforce or a new field. About 60% of executives believe entry-level knowledge workers will need to master the use of AI, specifically a skill like prompt engineering. But just as important will be the assurance that these employees can grow beyond AI skills, to use them in meaningful and context-specific ways. Two-thirds of C-suite members feel managers will need to ensure their team members know what other skills they should be developing to progress.
Employees and executives are finding ways to adapt to AI opportunities
Employees, especially those in Generation Z, are interested in using AI to accelerate their career and generate additional income
Survey results show that employees are already using AI to find advantages where they can, and they’re open to doing it more. For example, 16% are secretly learning AI skills to get an advantage over their colleagues and an additional 34% would consider doing it. Almost half of employees surveyed also said they already are or would consider using AI to work an additional full- or part-time job with another company. Generation Z respondents are overall more likely to already use or consider using AI for these tasks.
Most C-suite members are adapting business strategies for AI
Executives recognize that AI has the potential to disrupt their business and long-term strategies. They’re using a variety of methods to get ready for that shift, from trying to prepare their workforce with new skills to creating jobs at the highest level that focus specifically on AI.For example, 41% of C-suite members have increased their company’s training budgets for AI and 39% are requiring employees to learn AI skills. Additionally, almost one-third of executives surveyed have created, or plan on creating, a Chief AI Officer role in their organization. Other steps that executives signaled they are taking include hiring new talent, planning to eliminate entry-level roles that can be automated, and integrating AI within existing jobs.
Employees are using AI both at home and at work
More than half of employees surveyed are taking at least one step to adapt to AI. In particular, 21% are using AI at work to improve their performance. For some employees, they’ve found that their company learning and development programs are helpful: 24% are utilizing them to learn new AI skills. However, one-fifth of employees are also learning those skills on their own because their company does not offer the right training.
Adoption of AI among employees is not just confined to the workplace. For example, about a quarter are using AI on their own time for personal tasks.
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