Are You Lagging Behind in AI Adoption?

There’s an old saying in sales: “If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late.” The same goes for business technology. If you are not staying ahead of the curve, you’re not just behind it, you’re way behind it.

Technology keeps moving forward with ever-increasing speed, so you cannot afford to stand still. Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this revolution, and as a result, we are swiftly seeing companies adopting AI solutions. Moving even more rapidly are software providers like Microsoft who are adding AI to new and existing tools.

Discover how you can use AI to do things like:

Streamline operations

Automate tasks

Reduce errors

Boost business output

Microsoft and LinkedIn  joined together to produce The 2024 Work Trend Index report. It provides valuable insights into the current state of AI in the workplace. The study sheds light on how AI is transforming the way we work. The report also provides both fresh ideas and considerations when using AI.

Being a prominent Managed IT Services provider, IT Support LA stays on top of these types of reports. By understanding the trends, we can help our clients navigate these changes. We can also help them leverage the power of AI to drive business forward.

Have you ever heard about a new business technology and asked the head your IT team about it – and have them say they don’t know about it but will look into it? If that ever happens, you should be nervous about the quality of IT you’re paying for.

So, let’s examine the main trends identified in the report and explore how they can impact your operations.

Workers Expect and Want AI at Work

If your company is lagging behind in AI adoption, you may find it harder to attract and keep top talent. The study shows that 75% of knowledge workers now use AI at work.

AI helps them employees do certain things faster, and they understand that. One of their concerns is a lack of rapid adoption by companies. Companies in turn need to have a plan. AI is like any other new technology. It can help, but only if you do it right.

Fostering a ‘partnership’ relationship with employees is the best way to move forward, because you are all in this together. Listen to their feedback and learn how they feel AI can help them most. This gives you a great starting point for where to leverage AI effectively.

The Demand for AI Skills is Increasing

Right now, new job titles are being created that we never heard of just three years ago - like ‘Prompt Engineer.’ Employees who know how to use AI to get the best output are most in demand.

The report also states that jobs are not being lost to AI. Rather, companies are seeking AI-skilled staff. 55% of employers worry about having enough talent to fill needs.

As a result, employers should add AI training to upskill teams to address the need for AI skills. Employees can take the initiative to improve their use of AI and prompts. It’s in everyone’s best interest to learn how to harness AI productively.

Employees Using AI see their Roles Evolving

A notable divide in employee use of AI is also revealed in the study. The spectrum begins with skeptics who rarely use AI. On the other end are ‘power users’ who frequently use AI in their work. Guess which of these will prove more valuable to the company.

The Power Users are saving more than 30 minutes per day by reengineering their workflow using artificial intelligence.

AI can augment roles and assist with tasks, including:

AI-driven automation

Data analysis and reporting

Customer support enhancement

Document and policy drafting

The AI skeptics fall by the wayside and eventually disappear, while the AI Power Users become a great benefit to their companies. These employees can help train others on their team. They can also help create foundational processes and templates. Other employees can then follow these templates to enhance their work.

Chaos Ensues Without a Plan

Think about ROI (Return On Investment – your company’s management is certainly thinking about it, and they are under immense pressure to show a good return for the money spent. Many haven’t yet figured out how to do that with AI enhancements, but they’re also worried about being too slow to adopt.

What this has led to is employees adopting AI on their own, using un-sanctioned AI tools, which creates the ‘Shadow IT’ effect. Perhaps they are using AI where the company would rather have a human touch. This puts the emphasis on businesses needing an AI use policy, and fast.

Without AI Policies & Procedures (P&P) the office environment starts looking like ‘The Wild West.’ A good place to begin reining this in is by involving the IT services provider for expert guidance.

<H3>The Ethical Considerations and Trust in AI</H3>

As AI becomes more prevalent, it’s essential to address the ethical considerations. The Work Trend Index emphasizes three important things in this area. These are transparency, privacy, and bias mitigation in AI systems.

Businesses must ensure that AI tools are deployed ethically and responsibly. This means clear communications to employees and customers about how it’s using AI. Building trust in AI is crucial for its successful integration into the workplace.

AI in the Workplace: Final Thoughts

The Microsoft/LinkedIn 2024 Work Trend Index offers valuable insights, helping companies understand the transformative power of AI in the workplace. These key trends demonstrate how to embrace AI strategically. Doing this enables businesses to unlock new opportunities as well as enhance productivity and improve employee satisfaction.