Gallup: HR and workers are totally out of sync on AI

Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) are excited about the impact of AI at work.

According to Gallup’s recent survey of 135 Fortune 500 CHROs, 65% are optimistic about AI’s ability to improve job performance.

They see the potential of AI to increase efficiency and speed, to drive better decision-making and provide more opportunities for workers to do strategic thinking.

Gallup also found that almost three in four (72%) CHROs believe that AI will start replacing jobs in the next three years.

However, in both these respects, HR leaders are completely out of step with workers.

Not only are the employees Gallup surveyed skeptical about AI’s potential – just three in ten think it will be beneficial at work – but they are complacent about job replacement.

Only 14% think it is likely their job will be eliminated by AI, automation and other new technology – this is only up slightly from 2019’s figure of 13%.

Getting ready for AI

A major issue is that this worker skepticism around AI is stopping employees from experimenting with the new technologies.

Gallup’s data shows that seven in ten employees never use AI at work, and 53% feel unprepared to work with AI or other advanced tech.

Without employee buy-in, it won’t be possible for organizations to reap the benefits of AI at work.

So, what’s the solution?

According to Gallup, there is just one question leaders need to ask themselves: “How am I preparing my people now to get the most from the AI transition?”

The report continued: “Leaders need to provide development opportunities and support. Don’t assume what’s obvious to you is obvious to your team. Don’t assume they will be prepared.”

Research from the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) came to a similar conclusion.

The OECD’s report found that when organizations consult workers on the adoption of AI at work, they reap the productivity and performance benefits.

This approach was also advocated for by Mercer’s Ravin Jesuthasan in a recent UNLEASH interview.

He shares: “You’ve got to get them to understand” AI, and to reassure them it won’t actually take their job. Instead, it’ll make jobs more satisfying and meaningful.

Get to know AI on another level at UNLEASH World 2023. Josh Bersin, Anika Grant and Ahmed Alawadhi are all ready to give you the insights that will make your team’s work a whole lot more efficient.