• Over a quarter (27%) of organisations are currently using AI tools, compared to 21% six months ago  
• One in five workers now using an AI tool as part of their role
• Well over half (57%) of employers expect to allow their staff to use AI in the future but will monitor usage, whilst 22% expect to ban the use of AI in the future  
• Three in five (60%) workers don’t feel their employer is helping them to sufficiently prepare for the use and adoption of AI in the workplace, versus 55% just 6 months ago 

As the discussion around how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may impact our life continues, new research by Hays has found that more organisations are currently using AI tools than 6 months ago, rising from one in five (21%) to more than a quarter (27%). 

The research, based on a survey of nearly 15,000 responses from employers and professionals, found that whilst AI usage in the workplace is on the rise, the number of people who do not feel their employer is helping them to prepare for the use of AI has also increased, from 55% to 60%. 

Use of AI in the workplace rising amidst concerns 

According to the research, whilst majority of professionals (80%) have still not used AI tools in their current role, the number of professionals who are using AI tools has increased in the last 6 months, from 15% to one in five (20%). 

Whilst well over half (57%) of employers intend to allow staff to use AI tools, whilst monitoring usage in the future, this has fallen from 66% six months ago. Slightly more employers also expect to ban AI tools, rising from 18% to 22%. Whilst it’s still a small number, 7% of organisations have already banned the use of AI in the workplace, versus just 3% 6 months ago. 

Attitudes towards how the growing presence of AI in the workplace could impact jobs are mixed; a quarter (25%) of professionals think AI tools will have a positive impact on their job and there are still only a small number of professionals who believe AI will negatively impact their job (dropping from 12% to 8%). 

More employees today (36%) envisage that AI won’t have any impact on their job, compared to 6 months ago (31%). Nevertheless, there is a lingering sense of uncertainty about how AI might affect the world of work, as the research shows a slight rise in professionals who are unsure of the impact AI will have on their job, from 29% to nearly a third (31%). 

More upskilling is necessary to use AI effectively

Positively, the number of employers experiencing extreme skills shortages when it comes to AI usage has reduced from 24% to 15% in the last 6 months. The research also reveals a decrease in the number of professionals who believe they don’t have any of the right skills to make the best use of AI, from almost a third (31%) 6 months ago to just over a quarter (26%) today. 

However, employers are still falling short when it comes to supporting their staff in upskilling to take advantage of AI. The number of employees who do not feel their employer is helping them to prepare for the use and incorporation of AI in the workplace has increased in the last 6 months, from 55% to 60%.

Simon Winfield, CEO of Hays UK and Ireland, comments: “Although some employers would prefer to turn a blind eye to AI and ban their staff from using it, we’re seeing more organisations eager to reap the benefits AI has to offer. It is however essential for employers to put in place sufficient opportunities to train and upskill individuals to be able to get the best out of these new technologies. 

In order to move with the times and make progress, employers must bring staff along the journey as they invest in AI. It’s also crucial they communicate their intentions around developments in AI. This includes being honest with staff about how they need to be using AI tools, and if usage will be monitored.

Unlocking the potential of AI is about assessing the risks and rewards, and supporting staff to feel confident, prepared and in the loop is non-negotiable.”   

About the research: The survey was conducted between the 10th of August – 11th September 2023 and received 14,915 responses. 

The comparisons are based on research conducted between 13th April and 9th May 2023 which received 8,853 responses. 

Contact
 
Chloe May
PR Executive
chloe.may@hays.com

About Hays

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in workforce solutions and recruitment, such as RPO and MSP. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As at 30 June 2023, the Group employed over 13,000 staff operating from 252 offices in 33 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2023:

• the Group reported net fees of £1,294.6 million and operating profit of £197.0 million;
• the Group placed around 76,800 candidates into permanent jobs and around 245,000 people into temporary roles;
• 15% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 30% in Germany, 21% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 34% in Rest of World (RoW);
• the temporary placement business represented 57% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 43% of net fees;
• Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%) and Engineering (10%), are the next largest
• Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, the UK and the USA