Study shows: use of AI is widespread, but training is lacking
According to an Adecco survey, AI saves employees an average of one working hour per day. This gives them more time for creativity, strategic thinking or a better work-life balance. Adecco surveyed 35,000 employees in 27 leading economic nations for the study.
The Adecco Group's annual "Global Workforce of the Future" survey shows that the average time saved per employee per day through the use of AI is one hour. A fifth of the 35,000 employees, including 1005 respondents in Switzerland, in 27 economic nations even reported that they would save up to two hours a day with AI. Five percent of respondents even save three or four hours a day.
Hardly any industry differences
According to the Adecco study, time savings are fairly consistent across all industries. Employees in the energy, utilities and cleantech sectors report the highest savings at 75 minutes per day, while the lowest savings - in aerospace - are 52 minutes per day. Employees in the technology sector save an average of 66 minutes per day, in finance it is 57 minutes and in the manufacturing industry 62 minutes.
Denis Machuel, CEO of the Adecco Group, is quoted in a press release on the study as follows: "There has been a lot of speculation about how AI will change the world of work. That's why it's incredibly exciting to see these first potential signs of efficiency gains. The time saved by workers seems to have been put to good use and is not just limited to one or two sectors, but seems to be widespread across industries. It's still early days, but AI seems to be delivering on its promise."
The survey suggests that the time saved is used to create greater added value: 28% of study participants say that they use the time saved for more creative tasks, 26% of respondents say that AI gives them more time for strategic thinking, and 27% report an improved work-life balance. However, there are also indications that the time saved by AI is not always used productively: 23% of users state that they do the same amount of work, while 21% spend more time on personal activities.
AI is changing the world of work and causing fear
The study not only provides information about the influence of AI, but also sheds light on how the world of work is changing. According to the study, employees are increasingly concerned about an uncertain future, with economic conditions and job security taking center stage. While more employees are opting to stay with their current employers, the impact of AI on job stability was largely underestimated last year, according to the study: 13% of respondents said they had lost their job due to AI.
40 percent of respondents expressed concerns about long-term job security. 83 percent plan to stay with their current employer - the highest retention rate in the past three years. At the same time, the view of the disruptive effects of AI becomes more balanced when other aspects are considered: 51% of respondents believe that AI will expand their career opportunities. 46% agree that AI offers them more opportunities to learn new skills and advance professionally.
Train adaptability, not just skills
Another important finding of the study is that a select group of high performers stand out from their peers. This is mainly due to the strong support of their employers. To expand the group and develop future leaders, companies need to prioritize continuous skills improvement, the study further found. Currently, only 11 percent of employees are "future ready", meaning individuals who are characterized by adaptability, flexibility in career plans and a proactive approach to learning new skills.
Mental health and well-being
The authors of the study call on employers to prioritize the mental health of employees by demonstrating a commitment to inclusion and sustainable working practices. In the past 12 months, 40 percent of employees would have experienced exhaustion due to excessive workload - a figure that would rise to 62 percent if employees are concerned about the impact of AI and are negatively affected by it.
Managers are also challenged, as the study found out. Less than half of employees have confidence in the AI skills and knowledge of their managers (46 percent). (Marc Landis/NetzKI Bot/Tme/swi)
