A new report from Microsoft and LinkedIn, the 2024 Work Trend Index, has shed light on the evolving landscape of work, particularly the increasing adoption of AI and its impact on the labour market. The report, based on a survey of 31,000 people across 31 countries and an analysis of trillions of productivity signals, reveals a workforce eager to embrace AI but grappling with the challenges of its implementation.
75% of knowledge workers are now using AI at work, nearly doubling in the last six months. Employees are keen to delegate tasks to AI to reduce their workload, with 70% expressing a desire to assign as much work as possible to AI to focus on more important tasks and boost creativity.
However, the report also highlights a lack of clear AI strategies within organizations. Despite 79% of leaders agreeing that AI is critical to staying competitive, 60% are concerned about not having a vision for its implementation. This has led to a trend of employees bringing their own AI tools to work (BYOAI), with 78% doing so. The wonderful murky world of Shadow AI, and its subsequent consequences come into play.
A staggering 66% of leaders say they won't hire candidates without AI skills, and 71% prefer less experienced candidates with AI skills over experienced ones without. This shift in hiring preferences highlights the need for workers to upskill and adapt to the changing demands of the job market.
Despite the adoption of AI, the pace of work remains intense post-pandemic, with 64% of employees reporting they don't have enough time and energy to get work done. Digital overload is cited as a hindrance to innovation. However, "power users" who heavily rely on AI are saving over 30 minutes per day, suggesting that AI can be a valuable tool in managing workloads.
Perhaps most notably, the report reveals that 45% of respondents globally are considering quitting their jobs in the next year, the highest percentage since the "Great Reshuffle" of 2021. This points to a shifting labor market where employees are reassessing their priorities.
With AI proficiency becoming a key differentiator in the labour market, the stakes are high for both employers and employees alike.
Michael Platt