Mixed Attitudes Toward the Impact of AI on Jobs
Despite the upsurge in AI technology, the study reveals that professionals have differing opinions on how AI will affect their jobs. Even though 80% of Scottish professionals do not already use AI in their employment, 21% think that AI technologies will improve their ability to do their tasks. Interestingly, during the past six months, the percentage of professionals expecting a negative impact has dropped from 12% to 6%.
However, the study indicates its concern among employees, with 61% of them believing that their companies are not doing enough to prepare them for the expanding use of AI in the workplace. Concerns are raised by this trend regarding the workforce's readiness to adopt and take full use of AI technologies. Tech-oriented Hays business director Justin Black stresses the value of giving people enough training opportunities to advance their skills and become proficient with new technologies.
Barriers to AI Adoption
The reluctance of enterprises to disclose their data and intellectual property to AI systems, citing concerns linked to GDPR compliance (General Data Protection Regulation), is one of the noteworthy challenges impeding the mass adoption of AI. This reluctance is also influenced by concerns about trust. The demand for AI capabilities has outpaced the increase of skilled individuals in the sector, highlighting a skills deficit in the AI space, according to Black.
The reluctance to subject sensitive data and intellectual property to AI systems results from concerns about GDPR compliance. Businesses are cautious about the possible dangers of disclosing confidential data to AI systems. Professionals' scepticism about the security and dependency on AI systems contributes to their trust issues.
The study suggests that as AI sets its foot as a crucial element in Scottish workplaces, employees should prioritize tackling skills shortages, encouraging employee readiness, and improving communication about AI integration, given the growing role that AI is playing in workplaces. By doing this, businesses might as well ease the concerns about GDPR and trust difficulties while simultaneously fostering an atmosphere that allows employees to fully take advantage of AI technology's benefits.
