Purpose of the Research
OnePoll conducted an internal research project that explored the use, benefits and impacts of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) at work, such as its direct impact on job security. This comes as there has been exponential growth in using AI in workplaces.
Method
1,500 UK adults who work from home or from an office were interviewed about their opinions and feelings towards personally using AI in their workplace. The online survey included 19 questions that covered general feelings towards AI, its usage, the benefits, issues and challenges AI brought to the respondents, such as the way AI is used to improve workloads, whilst also causing job insecurity.
The Result
The results were collated, with cross breaks for age, generation, gender, and region. The results were reported in an executive summary, dashboard, and through a presentation. The research found that 70% personally use AI at work. Only 12% of 25- to 34-year-olds never use AI at work, but over half (53%) of those aged 65 and older never use AI at work. Of those that personally use AI at work, more than two thirds (61%) either like or love using AI, whilst only 10% expressed that they either disliked or hated using it. Of those that find using AI at work beneficial (73%), the main benefits they expressed were that AI improves productivity, it made their jobs easier, and it reduced their work-related stress.
Despite expressing the benefits of personally using AI at work, respondents also expressed concerns regarding AI’s inaccuracy, data privacy and security, as well as technical issues they came across. Regardless of the expressed concerns AI brought to respondents, 83% believed that AI will continue to be remain in use in their workplace going forward.
Of those that personally use AI at work, 57% expressed their concern that AI will likely replace certain roles in their industry in the future, with 43% voicing the personal impact the continuing use of AI will have on their job security. Over two thirds (61%) believed AI could take over their role within the next 10 years, with the average being in the next 5.8 years’ time. The reasons expressed for these insecurities were that AI can handle large volumes of work without the need for breaks or rest; AI is more cost-effective than human employees; and, it has the potential to automate complex tasks that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Moving forward, despite the expressed insecurities, respondents believed that AI can be used as an aid in automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic and creative work; it will increase overall productivity as it will help streamline workflows; and AI will enhance decision-making by providing more accurate and timely data analysis.