According to recent findings from Linked In, the world’s largest professional network with a user base of 1 billion people, a significant proportion of UK business leaders (81%) believe that generative AI will benefit their workforce.
The primary ways in which UK executives anticipate generative AI assisting employees include the automation of mundane, repetitive tasks (64%), enhancing overall productivity (52%), and enabling more time for innovative and expansive thinking (59%). Additionally, 31% of respondents foresee the creation of new job roles within their organizations due to the proliferation of generative AI technology.
The landscape of employment is undergoing a transformation due to the integration of AI. Linked In’s latest “Future of Work: AI at Work” report highlights the proactive stance of businesses in leveraging AI technology to reshape the workplace. Over the past five years, the number of “Head of AI” positions globally has tripled, while job postings referencing AI have more than doubled (2.3x) in the UK over the last two years. Industries leading the recruitment drive for AI-related roles in the UK include manufacturing, finance, professional services, technology, and administrative support services.
Professionals are displaying a keen interest in enhancing their AI competencies, as evidenced by an 80% surge in members engaging with AI-focused learning courses on Linked In in the past three months. Moreover, there has been a 60% month-over-month increase in the display of generative AI skills on members’ profiles since January 2023, encompassing areas like Chat GPT, prompt crafting, and Copilot for Microsoft 365.
Despite the rapid advancement of AI, industry leaders and experts agree that interpersonal skills will become increasingly valuable. A survey of UK executives reveals that 9 out of 10 emphasize the growing importance of soft skills, with adaptability (48%), communication (42%), and problem-solving (46%) emerging as pivotal attributes in the evolving work landscape.
Ngaire Moyes, the UK Country Manager at Linked In, underscores the transformative potential of AI in optimizing work processes, with organizational leaders in the UK actively exploring strategic AI implementations within their companies.
To harness the full potential of AI, businesses must ensure their workforce is equipped to leverage these technologies effectively. Generative AI presents an opportunity to alleviate the monotony of daily tasks, allowing employees to focus on the strategic and interpersonal facets of their roles. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, leaders can cultivate a more resilient and adaptable work environment, emphasizing not only AI education and technical skills but also the development of essential soft skills such as leadership and problem-solving.
Adam Hawkins, Linked In’s Head of Research and Talent for EMEA and LATAM, underscores the evolving landscape of hiring practices driven by AI adoption, necessitating a shift in skill requirements and creating new avenues for growth. The rising enthusiasm for AI education is evident in the increasing enrollment in AI-related training courses. To capitalize on this trend, business leaders must provide employees with learning opportunities, guidance on utilizing AI tools effectively, and support for skill development. As the demand for AI-related job roles continues to rise, recruitment professionals must adeptly communicate the benefits of AI opportunities to both clients and candidates.
