The Rise of GenAI: How AI is Transforming the Workplace
From ChatGPT to DALL-E and everything in between, the new wave of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) systems is revolutionizing business at an incredible pace. While the optimism of employees towards AI, especially GenAI, is generally positive, sentiments vary considerably based on seniority and location, according to the AI at Work: What People are Saying research released by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report is based on a survey of over 12,800 employees from different levels and industries across 18 countries, aiming to understand how AI’s evolution has impacted their work.
Nicolas De Bellefonds, BCG X’s global leader of AI and Software, and co-author of the research, said, “GenAI is a rapidly evolving space, and its transformative impact is already being felt in workplaces around the world.” To support their clients and partners in adopting next-generation AI-powered solutions successfully, BCG launched the Center for Responsible Generative AI. This center will also offer innovative ways of working, change management, upskilling talent, and culture.
Optimism is rising and concerns are falling, varying by seniority and location. The AI at Work 2022 survey revealed that 52% of all respondents ranked optimism as one of their top two sentiments. Concern saw the steepest decline compared to 2018, with a drop from 40% to 30%. Nipun Kalra, BCG’s Managing Director and Partner, and head of BCG X in India, said, “Consider this: 52% of a total of 12,800 front-line employees and managers across 18 countries ranked optimism as one of their top two sentiments, with India being among the leading countries most optimistic about the transformative impact of AI.”
BCG’s report also found that frontline employees made up the largest percentage of nonusers (60%) of generative AI tools overall. Meanwhile, senior leaders, who are frequent users of generative AI, are more optimistic and less concerned about it than frontline employees. A majority of leaders (80%) report that they use generative AI tools regularly, compared with just 20% of frontline employees.
The most optimistic regions about AI in the workplace are Brazil (71%), India (60%), and the Middle East (58%). The least optimistic are the US (46%), the Netherlands (44%), and Japan (40%). Meanwhile, the geographies most concerned about AI are the Netherlands (42%), France (41%), and Japan (38%), while the least concerned are the Middle East (25%), Brazil (19%), and India (14%).
Preparing for the Impact of AI on Work
BCG’s report indicated that 36% of respondents think that AI is likely to eliminate their job. To prepare for the era of AI at work, 86% of respondents believe they will need training to sharpen their skills. However, only 14% of frontline employees say they have gone through any upskilling training to date, compared with 44% of leaders. According to Vinciane Beauchene, a Co-author of BCG’s Research, “Upskilling is essential and must be done continuously. It should go beyond learning how to use the technology and allow employees to adapt in their role as activities and skill requirements evolve.”
Regulation and Responsibility is Top of Mind for Employees
Despite their concerns over AI, 71% of respondents believe that the rewards of GenAI outweigh the risks. However, they also want the risks to be managed. This indicates that 79% of all respondents believe that AI-specific regulations are necessary, reflecting a marked shift in attitudes towards government oversight of technology. Many companies are developing and deploying their own responsible AI frameworks to manage this powerful emerging technology in a way that aligns with organizational purpose and ethical values. However, employee views on the effectiveness of these programs vary widely. While 68% of leaders feel confident about their organization’s responsible use of AI, only 29% of frontline employees believe their companies have implemented adequate measures to ensure AI is used responsibly.
The Bottom Line for Leaders
Employees are ready to accept AI in the workplace, but only if they are comfortable that their employer is committed to doing the right thing. BCG’s report outlines three recommendations for leaders as they navigate their organizations through the AI revolution:
Ensure that there are spaces for responsible AI experimentation.
Invest in regular upskilling.
Prioritize building a responsible AI program.
Steven Mills, Chief AI Ethics Officer at BCG and report co-author, said, “The level of concern among employees about the responsible use of AI is striking. Companies won’t achieve the full potential of GenAI if the majority of their employees continue to doubt that their employer is using AI responsibly. Responsible AI doesn’t just mitigate risks, increase innovation and productivity, it also generates value and a competitive advantage for organizations.”
Editor Notes
The rise of GenAI and its transformative impact on workplaces across the world challenges businesses to rethink their AI strategies to drive positive impact and competitive advantage while promoting ethical values. As an AI Guru and expert, it’s essential to be on top of this emerging technology. Stay up to date with all the latest AI news and trends by subscribing to GPT News Room.
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