GenAI Implementation and Productivity: Finding benefits is proving to be a challenge

Although an overwhelming 96% of employees expressed optimism about the potential benefits generative artificial intelligence in their work, the use of this technology has not yet resulted in a significant increase in efficiency.

According to the Oliver Wyman Forum, these benefits could take anywhere from six to ten years to materialize test participants from 16 countries.

The study, titled “How Generative AI is Changing Business and Society: The Good, the Bad and Everything in Between,” found that about 55% of employees surveyed said they used generative AI at least once a week at work, but 61% of users said they did not they find him too trustworthy.

About 20% of employees who have not experienced increased productivity with GenAI attribute it to corporate guidelines and poor performance of AI tools, resulting in additional review and editing time.

The report also points out that enthusiasm for GenAI’s potential comes amid concerns and challenges that GenAI could introduce among employees.

The the anxiety among employees is palpableespecially among knowledge workers who fear layoffs or automation in their roles due to GenAI’s impact on knowledge-based jobs.

The results indicate a significant demand for improving qualifications – 80% of knowledge workers expressed a desire to improve training in the field of artificial intelligence.

Related:The impact of generative artificial intelligence on my work in 2023

However, only 64% declare that they have participated in such training. What’s more, 60% of workers across industries and roles are increasingly concerned about changing jobs, and 30% of global job seekers say GenAI is impacting their job search.

The report also revealed significant global disparities in GenAI implementation. India leads the way with 83% of respondents reporting daily or weekly use, while North America and Europe lag behind with less than 50% weekly use.

Harnessing the benefits of GenAI through training and support

The report calls on organizations to adopt a people-first approach to leverage the benefits of GenAI while solving employee challenges.

This involves significant investment in training and support for employees, ensuring their effective cooperation with AI tools.

Kreacic-Oliver-Wyman Forum

Business leaders are encouraged to listen to employee concerns, offer upskilling/reskilling programs, and create sensible processes to integrate AI without causing anxiety.

“Leadership is crucial as organizations implement AI, and much of the concern stems from gaps, whether it is much-needed communication about what organizations are doing – or not – or the level and type of training and reskilling needed, or the impact of generative artificial intelligence for specific jobs and so on,” said Ana Kreacic, chief operating officer of the Oliver Wyman Forum.

Related:Generative Artificial Intelligence in ITOps: Hype vs. Reality

Although GenAI promises increased performance and innovationorganizations must strike a delicate balance between adopting this revolutionary technology and addressing the legitimate concerns of their employees.

“You need to start with clear communication and initiatives supported from the top, but at the same time leave enough room for experimentation as frontline employees and managers identify many use cases,” Kreacic said.

She added that organizations must make a special commitment to investing in their employees so that they not only work with generative AI tools, but also retraining in a broader context.

“This is especially true because workers here are ahead of the curve, and more than half of them worldwide already use this technology for professional purposes,” she explained.

How automation will affect jobs

According to estimates According to the World Economic Forum, the broad category of artificial intelligence could result in the loss of 85 million jobs globally by 2025, with a third of entry-level jobs at risk of automation.

Kreacic said effective workplace strategies require communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

“Managers and senior management should ensure that training is tailored to employee responsibilities and the specific use cases in which generative AI will be implemented,” she said.

But without employee input, redesigning technology-enabled work won’t be possible, so employers need to engage employees, not just lead with technology.

“During this time, business leaders also need to reflect on the mindset with which they are starting,” Kreacic added. “Are they only talking to their employees about the next level of productivity or profitability the organization can achieve? Or are they also talking about what career or career benefits will employees gain by continuing on this generative AI journey?”