A new study reveals that a majority of employees haven’t unlocked the full potential of using AI in the workplace. According to the report from Slingshot’s 2024 Digital Work Trends, while employers are keen on integrating AI to drive efficiencies and productivity, most employees feel left behind in terms of training and understanding of the technology. The study highlights a significant disconnect between managerial expectations and the actual usage of AI by employees.
Employers have predominantly implemented AI to assist in areas such as initial research for tasks and projects (62%), managing workflow (58%), and data analysis (55%). However, nearly two-thirds of employees (63%) are primarily using AI to double-check their work. Despite 72% of employers claiming that their employees are adequately trained in AI, only 53% of employees feel confident in their AI training.
This gap is further widened by the fact that nearly half (45%) of employers haven’t implemented AI due to unreadiness of their company’s data, with 32% of employees citing a need for more data-related training. Slingshot’s founder, Dean Guida, pointed out, “The workplace continues to undergo a rapid transformation as employers implement AI tools to drive efficiencies and increase productivity. However, it’s clear that there’s a disconnect between employers’ intentions for AI and employees’ current use of AI, largely due to insufficient training.”
Enter the new CEO of Hyland, Jitesh Ghai, who plans to bridge this gap.
Having previously led a 2,000-person team as Chief Product Officer, Ghai acknowledges the importance of making employees feel supported during this transformative era. He offers several pieces of advice to both employees and aspiring CEOs:
1.
Employees’ incomplete AI training
Reallocate Time for AI Development: Ghai suggests preparing to focus more on AI development and usage. “Embrace GenAI to deliver radical and new innovations to serve customers and drive deeper business insights,” he asserts. 2.
Prioritize Education in AI: Ghai stresses the importance of training and continuous learning. “Enterprises should be using AI to innovate and build new technology offerings to help customers unlock valuable insights.”
3. Understand the CEO’s AI Vision: Ghai points out that a CEO’s vision for AI might differ from conventional views.
It’s crucial for employees to understand and align with this vision, which often goes beyond just efficiency to creating real customer value. 4. Leverage AI for Impactful Change: Instead of using AI for superficial tasks, Ghai emphasizes leveraging the technology for meaningful, mission-critical work, such as handling healthcare data.
He believes in driving real, impactful change rather than just producing catchy images or prompts. Ghai’s approach sets a clear direction for bridging the gap between employer intentions and employee capabilities, ensuring that AI integration truly enhances workplace productivity and innovation.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
