14 June 2023  

• Over a quarter (28%) of professionals expect AI tools such as ChatGPT to positively impact their job
• 29% of workers expect AI to change the type of tasks they perform day-to-day
• Customer service, banking, finance, cyber security, education and marketing are the top professions expected to be impacted most by AI
   

Over a quarter (28%) of professionals expect AI tools such as ChatGPT to have a positive impact on their job according to new research. Close to a third (31%) don’t expect AI to have an impact on their job at all, whilst only 12% anticipate AI having a negative impact on their role.

Research conducted by Hays, which received over 8,800 responses from professionals and employers across the UK found that 29% of workers expect AI to change the type of tasks they perform. Just under one in five (16%) expect their tasks to decrease as a result of AI, whereas 8% expect to see an increase in tasks. 19% don’t expect AI to impact the tasks they carry out, whilst 28% are unsure.

Younger professionals are more confident in the positive impacts AI can have on the tasks they perform day-to-day, with 34% of 20–29-year-olds expecting AI to positively impact their job compared to just 21% of over 50’s.
 

Professions predicted to be impacted by AI

Despite many professionals believing AI won’t impact their role, there are some professions more than others that workers expect to be most impacted by AI:

1. Customer service/contact centre roles (38%)
2. Banking and finance services (36%)
3. Accountancy and finance (30%)
4. Cyber security (27%)
5. Education (15%)
6. Marketing, PR, and communications (12%)

Employers yet to support staff in training for the use of AI in the workplace

Over half of workers (55%) said their employer isn’t yet helping them prepare for the use of AI in the workplace, despite just under a third of professionals (31%) saying they don’t have the right skills to allow them to make the best use of AI and technology.

When it comes to training, 58% of workers would like their employer to invest in training to support upskilling in AI tools and technologies, 38% would like access to the latest AI tools and a third (33%) would like time off to attend relevant conferences or seminars on AI in their industry.

Simon Winfield, Managing Director of Hays UK & Ireland, comments: “There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to using AI in the workplace, including its effect on the tasks employees carry out in the future, however it’s clear from our research that only a small number of workers expect AI technology to actually have a negative impact on their jobs.

What’s clear is that AI is likely to impact more professions than others, yet this is unlikely to mean these professions will disappear. More so, AI tools and technology are expected to allow professionals time to focus on higher-value tasks that require critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. By automating mundane tasks, AI can enable individuals to engage in more fulfilling and intellectually stimulating work – potentially leading to increased job satisfaction.

For employers, there’s a clear want from professionals to be able to upskill and work alongside AI. Employers who can offer training opportunities to address any skill shortcomings, while also considering how AI can supplement their worker’s existing abilities, will be best placed to keep the skills of their workforce relevant.”

Sue Daley, Director for Tech and Innovation at techUK, commented: “AI can bring many benefits to businesses and their members of staff, however, as AI innovation continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it is crucial for employers to invest in upskilling their workforce.

Hays’ research clearly shows that embracing AI and providing training opportunities for staff to master AI tools will not only bridge the digital skills gap the UK is currently facing but also position businesses as innovative and desirable in the evolving job market.”

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About the research: The survey was conducted between 13^th April and 9^th May 2023 and received 8,853 responses. 3,483 responses were from employers and 5,370 responses were from professionals
 

Helen Flannery
Senior PR Manager
helen.flannery@hays.com
T: 020 3040 0282
M: 07548 778306

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 31 December 2022, the Group employed over 13,000 staff operating from 255 offices in 33 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2022:

• the Group reported net fees of £1,189.4 million and operating profit of £210.1 million;
• the Group placed around 83,750 candidates into permanent jobs and around 250,000 people into temporary roles;
• 16% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 26% in Germany, 22% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW);
• the temporary placement business represented 55% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 45% of net fees;
• Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (14%) and Construction & Property (11%), 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