Businesses failing to prepare for rise of AI, study finds

UK businesses are unprepared for the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, according to a poll of over 2,000 senior recruitment and HR professionals.

Global talent acquisition specialist Alexander Mann Solutions found that just 23% of senior recruitment and HR professionals believe that we are preparing the next generation of professionals for the rise of AI, even though two-thirds (69%) forecast that it is very or somewhat likely that we will see humanoids in the workplace by 2030.

When quizzed on what skills businesses should be developing to enhance the potential of AI, over a third (36%) cited adaptability to change, around a fifth (22%) said creative skills were most important, with a similar number (18%) believing IT and technical skills should be prioritised.

Laurie Padua, director of Technology and Operations Consulting, commented: “According to Accenture, AI has the potential to add an estimated £654 billion ($814 billion) to the UK economy by 2035. However, the potential of any intelligent software is limited by the human talent responsible for commissioning, implementing and managing it. … Instead, the roles of real-life employees will develop so that we will work alongside robots to become more efficient and productive, and innately human traits will become more valuable than ever before. GE, for example, is reportedly building a ‘robotic workforce’ as part of its shift toward high-tech business.

“To manage the transition, scientists are being redeployed to the company’s machine-learning lab where they are tasked with helping to make cloud-hosted software models of GE’s existing machines that can be used to save money and improve safety for its customers long term.”