A recent study conducted by the Digital Futures at Work Research Center (Digit) suggests that the UK is facing a growing divide between organizations that have embraced artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital technologies and those that have not. The survey, carried out between November 2021 and June 2022, reveals that only 36% of UK employers have invested in AI-enabled technologies such as industrial robots, chatbots, smart assistants, and cloud computing over the past five years. Additionally, the research indicates that a mere 10% of non-investing employers plan to invest in such technologies in the next two years.
The findings also shed light on a concerning skills issue. Despite 75% of employers struggling to find individuals with the necessary skills, less than 10% anticipate the need to invest in digital skills training in the coming years. Moreover, nearly 60% of employers reported that their employees had not received formal digital skills training in the past year.
Professor Mark Stuart, the lead researcher from the University of Leeds, emphasized the need to address the low investment in both digital technologies and digital skills to fully realize the benefits of digital transformation in the UK’s economy. He cautioned against the prevailing narrative driven by hope, speculation, and hype surrounding the rapid transformation of the labor market through AI-enabled digital technologies.
Stijn Broecke, Senior Economist at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), highlighted the importance of evidence-based discussions rather than fear and anecdotal accounts when assessing the impact of digital technologies on the workplace. He praised the nuanced picture presented by the Digit report, which underscores both the risks and opportunities associated with digital technologies.
The survey revealed that the primary motivations for investing in AI-enabled technology were to enhance efficiency, productivity, and product/service quality. Conversely, reasons for non-investment included AI’s perceived irrelevance to business activities, broader business risks, and the specific skills required.
Notably, the survey found little evidence to suggest that investing in AI-led technology leads to job losses. On the contrary, organizations that embraced digital adoption were more likely to have increased their employment in the five-year period preceding the survey.
In light of these findings, the researchers urge policymakers to base their decisions on factual evidence and call for a more informed and measured approach to AI in the workplace. The Employers’ Digital Practices at Work Survey, conducted by the Digital Futures at Work Research Center, provides valuable insights into the current landscape and challenges of AI adoption. The “First Findings Report” by the research team will be accessible on the Digit website on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
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