Results from a survey conducted by Swiss staffing provider, Adecco Group, have predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) will impact employment within the next five years, with 41% of senior executives at 2,000 large companies surveyed expecting a reduction in their workforces due to AI technology.
Generative AI, a branch of artificial intelligence capable of producing text, photos, and videos based on open-ended prompts, has created a divide in opinions, ranging from optimism about its potential to automate repetitive tasks, to concerns over people losing their jobs.
Major tech players such as Google and Microsoft have already begun workforce restructuring efforts, with a focus on AI systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s chatbot Gemini, resulting in waves of layoffs.
CEO of Adecco, Denis Machuel, noted the impact of AI on employment, stating, “almost all jobs are going to be impacted by AI one way or another. AI can be a job killer and it can also be a job creator.” He stressed the necessity for companies to prepare for this disruption by investing in staff training to effectively collaborate with AI technologies, rather than solely relying on external recruitment for AI specialists.
While acknowledging the potential for job displacement, Machuel emphasized balance, pointing to the digital revolution of the past decade which both eliminated and created job opportunities. He stressed the importance of readiness and adaptation in the face of technological advancement.
Adecco’s survey, one of the largest on the subject of AI in the workforce, echoes findings from a 2023 World Economic Forum study, indicating that 25% of companies anticipate AI-driven job losses, while 50% anticipate the creation of new roles.
The survey covered various sectors including defence, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, industry, and logistics across countries such as the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.
Adecco has been leveraging AI in its operations, seeing the technology as offering significant opportunities, particularly in training and upskilling initiatives for both its internal workforce and clients. There has also been an increase in consulting projects aimed at leveraging AI for enhancing workforce capabilities.
