Closing the Gap: The Rise of GenAI in the Workplace

Breaking down the wall. Eighteen months into the era of Generative AI (GenAI), a recent study by Microsoft and LinkedIn reveals that AI is already being integrated into workplaces at an unexpected scale. The study highlights that 75% of knowledge workers are currently using AI at work, with 46% of these users having started in the last six months. The impact is tangible:

• Time-saving and Efficiency: 90% of users report that AI helps them save time.
• Focused Work: 85% say AI allows them to concentrate on their most important tasks.
• Creativity Boost: 84% feel more creative with AI tools.
• Job Satisfaction: 83% enjoy their work more when using AI.

Despite these benefits, there are concerns among leaders about quantifying AI's productivity gains, with 59% expressing this worry. Additionally, 60% of leaders are anxious about their organization's lack of a clear plan and vision for AI implementation.

Interestingly, 78% of AI users are bringing their own AI tools to work (BYOAI), a practice more common in small and medium-sized companies (80%). This trend spans across all generations, debunking the myth that only Gen Z is driving AI adoption.

However, there is still some hesitation among workers. Over half (52%) of AI users are reluctant to admit using AI for their most critical tasks.

Leaders who are "extremely familiar" with AI foresee it being as transformational as the shift from typewriters to computers. In the next five years, 41% of these leaders expect to redesign business processes with AI, 38% plan to orchestrate AI bots, and 47% anticipate ensuring ethical AI use will be a core part of their roles.

Hiring trends reflect this AI-driven future, with technical AI talent recruitment up by 323% in the past eight years. Now, the focus is shifting towards non-technical talent with AI skills:

• Hiring Preferences: 66% of leaders would not hire someone without AI skills.
• Preference for AI Aptitude: 71% would hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced one without.
• Empowering Junior Talent: 77% of leaders believe AI will allow early-career talent to take on greater responsibilities.

Despite recognizing the importance of AI aptitude, many leaders are not investing in developing their existing employees' AI skills. Nearly half (45%) of US executives are not currently investing in AI tools or products for their employees, and only 39% of global AI users have received AI training from their companies. Furthermore, only 25% of companies plan to offer training on generative AI this year, highlighting a significant training deficit.

As AI continues to surge ahead, leaders must balance the recruitment of new AI talent with the development of their current workforce to fully harness AI's transformative potential. I started RealmIQ over a year ago with the mission that education and upskilling was necessary and the greatest opportunity for AI to succeed. The same holds true today as evidenced here. The sooner companies can create an AI-Org to embrace and inspire the use ethical use of AI within their organization, the better. For the Company as well as the mental health of their employees, who are burnt out and looking for solutions. Let this business transformation take place. Take down that wall!

About the Author

Curt Doty specializes in branding, product development, social strategy, integrated marketing, and UXD. He has extensive experience on AI-driven platforms MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, Murf.ai, and DALL-E. His legacy of entertainment branding: Electronic Arts, EA Sports, ProSieben, SAT.1, WBTV Latin America, Discovery Health, ABC, CBS, A&E, StarTV, Fox, Kabel 1, TV Guide Channel, and Prevue Channel.

He is a sought after public speaker having been featured at Streaming Media NYC, Digital Hollywood, Mobile Growth Association, Mobile Congress, App Growth Summit, Promax, CES, CTIA, NAB, NATPE, MMA Global, New Mexico Angels, Santa Fe Business Incubator, EntrepeneursRx and AI Impact. He is now represented by Ovationz. His new consultancy RealmIQ helps companies manage the AI Revolution.

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