HR report from Hays on AI transformation: Relief yes, disenfranchisement no
The integration of AI systems goes far beyond mere technical implementation. It also requires the adaptation of organizational structures and individual handling of the technology. The latest HR report from Hays shows how strongly the introduction of AI systems influences corporate culture.
In particular, the areas of leadership, collaboration and understanding of work are the focus of this study, which is based on a survey of almost 1,000 employees from various industries, both with and without experience in dealing with AI.
Overall, the report identifies a perception gap between AI users and those respondents who are not yet using AI. "This is due to the fact that respondents from different industries have very different levels of experience in dealing with artificial intelligence. On the one hand, there are the inexperienced, whose assessments are based on hearsay. On the other hand, the experienced ones already have several pilot projects behind them and know exactly what they are talking about," says Alexander Heise, Hays CEO Germany and CEMEA.
Majority see relief through AI
The study focuses on the readiness of organizations for artificial intelligence, especially as a cultural challenge. In terms of employment effects, a total of 76% of the study participants are convinced that AI can be used to completely take over light analysis activities and tedious routine tasks.
In this context, it is interesting to compare the response behavior of AI users and non-AI users. Only 30 percent of AI users believe that AI will lead to a decline in employment. Among those who do not yet use AI, 46% believe this to be the case.
AI leads to an increase in qualifications
However, 59% of respondents also assume that the qualification requirements for employees will increase, which in turn should lead to more positions with a higher level of qualification. Respondents who already use AI are more likely to assume this (68%) than those who do not use AI (49%).
This is also accompanied by the assessment of polarization effects, i.e. the increase in demand for lower and higher qualifications at the same time, which would be socio-economically problematic. 57% of AI users assume this, and 42% of non-AI users.
Human-AI interaction sets new standards
The fact that the effects of AI integration only become clear after personal experience is also shown by the differences in participants' responses to the question about the impact on corporate and management culture. 37% of AI users expect an increasing symbiosis in the interaction between humans and machines as well as a significant change in communication structures (31%), as the automation of subtasks can ideally speed up processes.
Don't forget the people behind the numbers
However, opinions also differ when it comes to AI-supported decision-making: 40% of those with AI experience see this as an opportunity, but only 27% of those without. The reduction in the workload of managers through increased employee responsibility is also seen as positive by 27% of AI users, but only 13% of the comparison group. 34% of the decision-makers surveyed believe that the main challenge is not to lose sight of the "people behind the numbers". And a full 46% see the task of increasingly addressing employees' fears in connection with AI, supporting them in the change process and motivating them to deal with AI.
Many fear disenfranchisement through AI
Employees take a pragmatic view of the use of AI: they expect to save time (43%) and reduce stress by making work easier (37%). However, this should not lead to them being disempowered by AI (45%). These concerns are expressed particularly frequently by non-AI users (52%).
The complete HR report by Hays, in collaboration with the Institute for Employment and Employability (IBE), can be downloaded from the Website of Hays can be downloaded.
