In the last year generative AI has really burst onto the scene and for the first time since the smartphone came to prominence, people have begun to change the way they are interacting with technology and the pace of change is likely to accelerate.

The question is, how’s it going?

Microsoft and LinkedIn have recently released the 2024 Work Trend Index on the state of AI at work. The pace and intensity of work is increasing with employees and businesses under increasing pressure to return value to their key stakeholders. We have a look at the key findings so you can gain a better understanding of the results.

The Work Trend Index surveyed 31,000 people across 31 countries, identified labour and hiring trends from LinkedIn, analysed trillions of Microsoft 365 productivity signals and conducted research with Fortune 500 customers.

1. Employees are embracing AI at work — and they’re not waiting for companies to catch up.

A significant 75% of knowledge workers are now utilizing AI in their daily tasks. These employees, often feeling overwhelmed and stressed, report that AI helps them save time, enhances their creativity, and allows them to concentrate on their most crucial work

Despite 79% of leaders acknowledging that AI adoption is essential for staying competitive, 59% are concerned about measuring the productivity gains from AI, and 60% worry their company lacks a clear vision and plan for its implementation. While leaders grapple with the challenge of translating individual productivity improvements into broader organizational impact, employees are taking matters into their own hands: 78% of AI users are bringing their own AI tools to the workplace. The challenge and opportunity for leaders lie in harnessing this momentum to achieve a return on investment.

2. AI is elevating career prospects and breaking barriers for employees.

AI is starting to significantly influence the job market. While concerns about AI and job loss persist, the data indicates that more individuals are considering career changes, with available job opportunities favouring those with AI skills. A majority of leaders (55%) are worried about having enough talent to fill open roles this year, particularly in fields like cybersecurity, engineering, and creative design.

Professionals are actively seeking new opportunities. Globally, 46% are contemplating quitting their jobs in the coming year — the highest rate since the Great Reshuffle of 2021. A separate LinkedIn study found that in the U.S., this number is even higher, with 85% considering career moves. Despite two-thirds of leaders being reluctant to hire someone without AI skills, only 39% of users have received AI training from their employers. Consequently, professionals are taking the initiative to upskill independently. Since late last year, there has been a 142-fold increase in LinkedIn members adding AI skills like Copilot and ChatGPT to their profiles, and a 160% rise in non-technical professionals using LinkedIn Learning courses to enhance their AI capabilities.

In a landscape where AI is mentioned in a LinkedIn job post it leads to a 17% increase in application growth, the relationship is reciprocal: Organizations that equip employees with AI tools and training will attract top talent, and professionals who develop their AI skills will gain a competitive edge.

3. The emergence of AI power users — and their insights into the future.

Research has identified four types of AI users, ranging from skeptics who seldom use AI to power users who leverage it extensively. AI power users have fundamentally transformed their workdays compared to skeptics, reimagining business processes and saving over 30 minutes daily. Over 90% of power users report that AI makes their heavy workloads more manageable and their work more enjoyable, but they aren’t achieving this alone.

Power users are typically employed by forward-thinking companies. They are 61% more likely to have received communication from their CEO about the importance of using generative AI at work, 53% more likely to be encouraged by leadership to explore how AI can transform their roles, and 35% more likely to receive customized AI training tailored to their specific functions.

“AI is redefining work, and it’s clear we need new playbooks,” said Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn. “Leaders who prioritize agility over stability and invest in internal skill-building will provide their organisations with a competitive edge, creating more efficient, engaged, and equitable teams.”

AI in Action: Turning enthusiasm into impact

A human head with the word AI over the top of itLeaders have a unique opportunity to harness employee enthusiasm for AI to drive business transformation. This journey will vary for each organization, but here are some steps to get started.

Identify a business problem and apply AI: Efficiency gains can be achieved across all functions by selecting a process and integrating AI. For instance, start with customer service to enhance call-handling times. Global advertising network Dentsu has applied AI to its creative development, while Estée Lauder is using it to innovate product development and customer experiences.

Adopt a top-down, bottom-up approach: Transitioning from experimentation to transformation requires engagement at all organizational levels, from the CEO to entry-level employees. Business gains will materialise when business line leaders mobilize their teams around AI. At Microsoft, the rollout of Copilot has relied on internal champions at all levels to foster AI enthusiasm and skills.

Prioritise training: AI power users thrive with continuous training, both on general tasks and those specific to their roles. LinkedIn Learning is an excellent resource for upskilling, and the Copilot Scenario Library offers use cases tailored to specific roles and functions.

We are at a pivotal moment for AI in the workplace. Just as we now view the pre-PC era, we will one day wonder how work was accomplished without AI. AI is already enhancing creativity and productivity, and giving job seekers a competitive edge. Over time, it will transform every aspect of work. As we move from experimentation to tangible business impact, companies that embrace this challenge will surge ahead. In this moment, fortune favours the bold.

Resource Takeaway:

A very useful resource that LinkedIn have made available for free with over 50 learning courses to empower professionals at all levels to advance their AI aptitude.

If you would like to find out more about how you can use AI to empower your workforce please contact sales@digital-origin.co.uk