Employees aren't worried about AI — but managers are

Dive Brief:

Only 12% of workers surveyed said they're concerned that artificial intelligence (AI) will negatively impact their job, according to new data from Robert Half. About 40% believe new technologies will have a positive effect, and almost half, 49%, don’t foresee the tech making any changes to their job at all. The new report, Jobs and AI Anxiety, polled 2,800 workers and 1,200 managers from the U.S.
At the managerial level, optimism isn’t as high. Almost half of managers believe workers will need new skills to keep current, but 82% said it will be challenging to get staff up to speed on new tech. When it comes to hiring, 80% predict it will be difficult to find professionals with required expertise.
To meet their needs, business leaders are using a variety of strategies. The majority (64%) plan to upskill current staff, while a little less than half plan to hire new workers or use outside service providers.

Dive Insight:

At least one study, by the Boston University School of Law, noted that the impact of automation may be less significant than the general impact of mass layoffs. Some data suggests employees may be even more productive and creative in an automated environment, as it will allow for "digital workflows" that have humans and machines working together to complete more creative tasks. As tech frees staff from rote tasks, their ability to innovate and think outside the box may be enhanced.

While data suggests AI will create more jobs than it eliminates, employers will have to ensure they have workers that are ready for those jobs of the future. Across all industries, employees are looking for guidance and assistance in preparing for these roles, even as businesses have yet to realize the full potential of the technology and how it will shift the future of how we work. In today’s tight applicant market, upskilling remains a top priority. Interpersonal skills and leadership will remain key human abilities that no bot can recreate, experts tell HR Dive. As such, soft skill training promises to be a key offering of L&D departments going into 2019 and beyond.