A few years ago, many people were excited about the development of artificial intelligence and expected it to make life easier. However, research shows a completely different picture: most employees report that artificial intelligence has only increased their workload. This was reported by Forbes.
The Upwork Research Institute has conducted a study that surveyed 2,500 senior executives, employees, and freelancers from around the world. The study revealed a gap between the high expectations of managers and the actual experience of employees using AI in work processes.
96% of surveyed executives expect artificial intelligence to increase productivity. At the same time, 77% of employees using artificial intelligence say it has increased their workload and created problems in achieving the expected productivity gains. They note that AI reduces productivity and contributes to burnout.
In addition, 47% of workers surveyed who use AI say they don't know how to achieve the productivity gains expected by their employers, and 40% believe their companies are asking too much of them when it comes to AI.
Workers are feeling the strain of increasing productivity demands, with one in three full-time employees saying they are likely to quit in the next six months due to overwork and burnout. The majority of global C-suite executives (81%) acknowledge that the demands on their employees have increased over the past year.
However, the survey of executives also showed that freelancers meet and often exceed productivity requirements, outperforming full-time employees. 80% of executives who hire freelancers say it's important for their business.
Although businesses are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, research shows that most organizations are not yet able to unlock the full value of this technology to improve productivity.
“Our research shows that introducing new technologies into outdated work models and systems is failing to unlock the full expected productivity value of AI,” says Kelly Monahan, Managing Director and Head of the Upwork Research Institute.
Monahan explains that in order to truly unleash the potential of artificial intelligence, leaders need to fundamentally change the way they organize work. She lists four strategies that employers should consider:
- Invest not only in the technology stack, but also in people.
- Engage external experts to help employees implement AI projects.
- Rethink performance measurement.
- Prioritize the unique skills of employees when hiring.