Workday, Inc. has released its global research report, “Elevating Human Potential: The AI Skills Revolution,” which challenges the common fear that AI will replace human workers. Instead, the findings suggest that AI will act as a catalyst for a skills revolution, emphasizing the importance of uniquely human capabilities such as empathy, ethical decision-making, and creativity. This shift is seen as an opportunity to elevate human potential and redefine success in the AI-powered workplace.
- AI as a Catalyst for Human-Centric Skills:
- While AI will impact jobs, it is also seen as a tool to enhance human creativity, ethical decision-making, and relationship-building skills, which are becoming increasingly valuable in the AI-driven economy.
- 93% of active AI users agree that AI helps them focus on higher-level responsibilities like strategy and problem-solving, while AI frees up human capacity for more meaningful work.
- Optimistic Sentiment Towards AI:
- Active users of AI express high levels of optimism (4.23 out of 5), while those planning to adopt AI show less enthusiasm (3.89 out of 5), highlighting the benefits of early adoption.
- AI is seen as a key enabler of organizational transparency and accountability, with 90% of workers believing AI plays a role in enhancing both.
- Disconnect Between Employees and Leaders on Human Connection:
- 82% of employees believe human connection will become more important as AI is adopted, but only 65% of managers share this view, indicating a need for leadership to prioritize fostering strong human relationships within teams.
- AI and Uniquely Human Skills:
- Skills such as ethical decision-making, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution are viewed as the most valuable and least likely to be replaced by AI, making them critical for success in an AI-powered world.
- 81% of study participants agree that AI is changing the skills required for their jobs, with the top uses of AI today being data analysis, fraud detection, and HR/recruiting.
- Collaboration is Key to Building Trust in AI:
- While 90% of employees believe AI can enhance transparency, gaining trust in AI requires joint efforts from the tech sector, organizations, and governments. A shared responsibility to ensure AI is used ethically will be essential to AI’s success in the workplace.
Workday’s research highlights an optimistic view of AI’s role in the workplace, emphasizing the complementary nature of AI and uniquely human skills. By embracing AI as a tool for good, organizations can free up employees to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and building meaningful relationships, ultimately driving innovation and success. Leaders must prioritize human connection, upskilling, and collaboration to build trust in AI and shape a future where both humans and AI can thrive together.
