It’s difficult to ignore the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace. For some people, it’s an exciting new horizon while others are worried about being replaced. We here explore the upside and benefits. Buckle up!
The impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace is only now starting- Photo Credit Jonathan Kemper-Unsplash
It’s hard to keep up with every new AI tool available to employees in different fields, new AI software can build presentations, capture and analyze data, do research, write content, do expense and payroll processing, detect fraud and plagiarism. It can even fulfill all the tasks of a receptionist, with software that understands and talks to guests and costumers, and handles schedules.
According to Forbes Advisor, 77% of professionals worry about AI-related job loss. And while the World Economic Forum estimates that AI could replace as many as 85 million jobs by 2025, it also says another 97 million new ones could be created in the same period. Creating a growing demand for new talents as other jobs become obsolete and fade away. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to learn new tricks and embrace AI as a handy addition to the workplace which, used wisely, can make us more efficient, creative and productive at work.
The Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
The impact of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace is more than a little obvious, and AI-savvy talents are quickly becoming a priority hire for many companies and industries looking to stay up to date and relevant in a fast-changing world. That’s probably because research has shown that AI can help create a more efficient, productive and creative workforce. These are some of the benefits of embracing AI in the workplace:
Increases efficiency in the workplace: Research has found that employees are much more efficient when provided AI assistance. In addition to reducing errors and optimizing resources, AI can handle certain routine tasks quickly and efficiently.
Boosts employee productivity: When team members aren’t using all their time to handle routine tasks, they can be free to focus on staying on top of the most important aspects of their workload and finding the best way to approach them. According to research by the Nielsen Norman Group, using AI improves employee productivity by 66%.
Improves Decision Making: AI allows leaders and employees to make data-driven decisions by analyzing all the information available and providing insights and feedback. This helps us consider specific aspects to ensure the best possible outcome.
Stimulates Innovation and Creativity: Without all the tedious stuff to get through, people can throw themselves into finding the most creative and innovative approaches to new challenges in the workplace.
Robots are another form of AI impacting the workplace- Photo Credit- Unsplash
New Skills and New Opportunities
AI is likely to create more occupations than it replaces and being able to benefit from these new and exciting opportunities depends on how successful people are in mastering the necessary skills to do the work. According to the International Organization of Employers’ The Impact of AI on Work and Employment, job applications that required AI skills increased by 19% in the United States between 2022 and 2023. The IOE also found that 69% of CEOs around the world understand the importance for their workforce to develop new skills that can be used to effectively influence generative AI.
Finding courses that will help familiarize yourself with the best ways to use whatever tools are available in your line of work. Forbes Advisor reports that 97% of business owners identify at least one aspect in which ChatGTP will help their operations, with almost half of them believing that introducing the chatbot will improve decision making, increase web traffic, and create a more personalized experience for costumers.
But while it’s important and a very good idea to embrace artificial intelligence, not everything is about knowing how to use it to our advantage. In fact, the importance of soft skills in an AI world should never be underestimated. What we used to call soft skills, and now routinely call “power skills” such as creativity, analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, leadership and interpersonal communication skills will become precious traits to employers in a world where AI can take over so many tasks.
The caveat here is that people’s real time thinking and analyzing the AI output remains critical. We are talking about a partnership between humans and AI as the best way forward.
The impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace will continue to increase and transform in time, and the best thing that leaders, their teams, and any professional interested in growth can do is to be adaptable, stay open to change, and embrace a lifelong learning philosophy where they can continue to educate themselves, and stay up to date through things like courses, workshops, and conferences. Be sure to pour some time into your power skills.
Mexico City-born freelance writer, translator, ghostwriter, editor and Red Shoe Movement contributor with a love of live music and graphic novels. Has collaborated with Yahoo!, Blouin Artinfo, Yahoo! en Español, Savvy Heels, Morelia International Film Festival (FICM) among others.
