TL;DR:
- 58% of employers worldwide believe AI, VR, and other emerging technologies will create more jobs.
- Companies are adopting or planning to adopt AI, Conversational AI, Machine Learning, and VR in their recruitment processes.
- Employers prioritize cybersecurity, technical support, customer/user experience, database management, and customer relationship management systems.
- Strategies to address technology-related challenges include training/upskilling the workforce, hiring new talent, investing in automation, reskilling employees for IT roles, and hiring short-term staff.
Main AI News:
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, employers worldwide are embracing emerging technologies with open arms. Contrary to popular concerns about job displacement, a significant majority of employers (58%) hold a positive outlook, believing that artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and other cutting-edge technologies will not eliminate jobs but, in fact, generate new employment opportunities. This revelation comes from a comprehensive report titled “The Future is Now: AI, the Metaverse, & the World of Work,” published by Experis, a prominent IT professional resourcing and services provider and a member of the ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) family of brands.
According to Ger Doyle, Senior Vice President of Experis, the integration of AI, machine learning, VR, AR, and other emerging technologies is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, necessitating an adaptable and skilled workforce. Forward-thinking companies are eagerly embracing these new advancements and actively seeking to recruit or upskill their existing talent pool to harness potential productivity gains. As digitization becomes increasingly prevalent, savvy employers recognize that nurturing human talent alongside the adoption of technology will be instrumental in ensuring success amidst this era of rapid technological advancement.
The report highlights that 78% of IT organizations face challenges in hiring professionals possessing the desired skills. In response, a growing number of companies are planning to adopt emerging technologies, such as AI (36% plan to adopt, with 35% already having done so), Conversational AI (36% plan to adopt, with 35% already having done so), Machine Learning (34% plan to adopt, with 38% already having done so), and VR (35% plan to adopt, with 30% already having done so), as part of their recruitment processes.
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, emphasizes that the impact of AI and technological innovation is not a novelty but an extension of previous advancements. He believes that generative AI will primarily automate specific tasks and augment skills within jobs rather than rendering entire occupations obsolete. This paradigm shift presents an opportunity to outsource mundane responsibilities, freeing up valuable time for more intellectually sophisticated and creative endeavors. Chamorro-Premuzic asserts that the relationship between humans and AI should not be framed as a dichotomy but as a collaboration to enhance human-centric skills and promote a more human-centered approach to life.
Furthermore, the latest Experis Tech Talent Outlook reveals that the emergence of new technologies has reshaped the hiring priorities and focus of employers. The top five staffing priorities currently reported are as follows:
- Cybersecurity (34%)
- Technical Support (32%)
- Customer or User Experience (31%)
- Database Management (27%)
- Customer Relationship Management Systems (25%)
To address the challenges arising from technological advancements, employers are adopting various strategies, including:
- Training and upskilling the current workforce (50%)
- Hiring new employees possessing the required skills (46%)
- Investing more in automation (39%)
- Reskilling existing employees and transitioning them into IT roles (39%)
- Recruiting short-term staff (freelancers, contract workers, etc.) to bridge skills gaps (38%)
As businesses navigate the ever-changing technology landscape, it is evident that a harmonious integration of human talent and emerging technologies is the key to unlocking new possibilities and ensuring sustained growth in the modern era.
Conclusion:
The findings of the report indicate a positive market sentiment as employers embrace the potential of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies. The majority of employers believe that these advancements will not lead to job elimination but instead create new opportunities. This mindset drives companies to invest in recruiting processes infused with AI, Machine Learning, and VR. The hiring priorities also reflect the shifting landscape, with a focus on cybersecurity, technical support, and enhancing customer experiences.
To tackle the challenges brought by these technologies, businesses are adopting strategies like upskilling the current workforce, investing in automation, and reskilling employees for IT roles. These trends demonstrate a market that recognizes the importance of a harmonious blend of human talent and technology to thrive in an era of rapid technological advancement.
