A new research study by the Digital Futures at Work Research Center (Digit) has warned of a growing gap between organizations in the UK adopting artificial intelligence. (AI)-enabled digital technologies And those who don’t have it.
Nationally representative survey found only 36% of UK employers have invested in AI-enabled technologies Industrial Robot, Chatbot, Smart Assistant and cloud computing in the last five years.
The survey, conducted between November 2021 and June 2022, also indicated that only 10% of employers who had not already invested in such technologies had plans to do so in the next two years.
The study, led by academics from the University of Leeds in collaboration with the Universities of Sussex and Cambridge, highlights a growing skills problem.
Less than 10% of employers expected to invest digital skills training In the times to come, 75% of them are facing challenges in recruiting individuals with the required skills.
Worryingly, nearly 60% of employers reported that none of their employees had received formal digital skills training in the past year.
What did the lead authors of the study say?
Professor Mark Stuart, Dean of Research and Innovation at Leeds University Business School and lead researcher on the study, stressed the need to address underinvestment. Digital technologies and digital skills To harness the potential benefits of digital transformation.
“A mix of hope, speculation and propaganda is fueling a misleading narrative that the adoption of new AI-enabled digital technologies will rapidly transform the UK labor market, boosting productivity and growth,” Stuart said. “These expectations are often associated with fear of job outcomes and even existential risk.
“However, our findings suggest that a different challenge requires a policy focus. workplace ai revolution Still not happening at all. If the UK economy is to realize the potential benefits of digital transformation, policymakers will need to address both low employer investment in digital technologies and low investment in digital skills.
Stijn Broeck, senior economist at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), welcomed the evidence-based approach of the study, highlighting the importance of going beyond hype and fearmongering when discussing the impact of AI and digital technologies in the workplace.
“at a time when AI is Displacing Digitization “In high gear, it is important to move beyond hype and engage in a debate that is driven by evidence, rather than fear and anecdote,” said Broke. This new report from the Digital Futures at Work research center does exactly that, and a provides a nuanced picture of the impact of digital technologies on the workplace, highlighting both risks and opportunities.”
The survey indicated that the primary motivation for investing in AI-enabled technologies was to improve efficiency, productivity, and product and service quality.
In contrast, reasons for not investing include the irrelevance of AI to business activities, the extensive business risks, and the specialized skills required.
In contrast to common concerns about job losses, the survey found little evidence to support such claims. In fact, digital adopters were more likely to see employment growth in the five-year period prior to the survey.
As policymakers race to keep pace with technological advances, the researchers behind this study urge politicians to focus on evidence-based discussions around the role of AI in the workplace.