A new study reveals 5 ways AI is transforming the workplace

LOS ANGELES–AI is already transforming the workplace—from how businesses operate to how work gets done.

The pace of change is startling, a new study shows. More than 90 percent of surveyed employers predict that they will use AI-related solutions in their organizations by 2028.

The study – a collaboration between Access Partnership and Amazon Web Services (AWS) – also shows hiring AI-skilled talent is a priority among 73 percent of employers. However, three out of four who consider it a priority can’t find the AI talent they need.

The study surveyed 3,297 employees and 1,340 organizations in the United States.

Here are five key findings from the study:

Most organizations will use AI and expect to benefit from it

According to the report, 92 percent of the organizations surveyed plan to use AI-powered solutions by 2028.

Most employers (92%) believe their IT departments will be the biggest beneficiary of AI. However, they also believe other departments, from sales and marketing (85%) to human resources (78%), will derive significant value from it as well.

According to the report, 92 percent of the organizations surveyed plan to use AI-powered solutions by 2028. FILE PHOTO

Most see artificial intelligence offering significant benefits for their organizations by automating employees’ tasks (64%), highlighting this as a key benefit; improving workflows and outcomes (58%); enhancing communications (54%); and helping their employees learn new skills (50%).

Generative AI tools will become commonplace at work

Generative AI has captured mainstream attention in the past year. It is a type of AI that can create new content and ideas quickly, including conversations, stories, images and more.

More than 93 percent of employers and 86 percent of employees expect to use generative AI within the next five years to increase innovation and creativity, automate repetitive tasks and boost learning.

Acquiring AI skills could boost paychecks and accelerate career growth

Surveyed employers are willing to pay higher wages to employees with AI skills and expertise. Notably, while employers are willing to pay an average of 47 percent more for IT workers with AI skills, the study found that pay benefits will extend across departments.

Employers said that they would be willing to pay workers with AI skills a premium in sales and marketing (43% higher salary); finance (42%); business operations (41%); legal, regulatory, and compliance (37%); and human resources (35%).

Overall, nearly 80 percent mentioned that they would be interested in developing AI skills to advance their careers.

Productivity payoff could be profound 

Among workers, 88 percent expect to use artificial intelligence in their daily work by 2028. By hastening ideas and creativity, automating repetitive tasks and enabling better decisions, surveyed employers and employees believe it could boost overall productivity by as much as 49 percent.

These findings are remarkable when one considers average nonfarm labor productivity growth in the United States has averaged 1.3 percent per year since 2019.

Employers report an AI skills gap 

Seventy-three percent of surveyed employers consider hiring talent with AI skills and experience a priority. But, nearly three in four (75%) of them say that they can’t find the talent they need.

The survey also reveals employers are not solely focused on workers with technical skills such as coding. In fact, critical and creative thinking are even more in demand by employers.

In short, the survey confirms that employers face a growing skills gap that training and education programs can address.

Unfortunately, the report also shows that 82 percent of employers and employees aren’t sure which specific skills they should pursue. Nearly 80 percent don’t know what outside training might exist for them.

Looking ahead, it’s clear that employers and employees are expecting AI tools to deliver tremendous benefits in the workplace on a daily basis.