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PwC's Tim Ryan: Reskill Workers for AI Adoption, Don't Leave Them Behind

  • PwC's Tim Ryan says the only way to overcome workers' fear of AI is to train them on new technologies, not leave them behind.

  • Ryan believes AI will evolve work, not eliminate jobs - aging populations, economic growth, and reshoring will create new jobs.

  • At PwC, AI helps auditors speed through documents faster, enabling them to focus on higher-value analysis.

  • Ryan says CEO messaging about AI should be clear and transparent - adoption will be gradual, not instant.

  • Leaders should reassure workers and help them stay relevant as AI changes elements of their jobs over time.

cnbc.com
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Generative AI is unlikely to completely take over jobs, but rather automate certain tasks, particularly in clerical work, potentially impacting female employment; however, most other professions are only marginally exposed to automation, with the technology more likely to augment work rather than substitute it, according to a study by the International Labour Organization.
Generative AI may not live up to the high expectations surrounding its potential impact due to numerous unsolved technological issues, according to scientist Gary Marcus, who warns against governments basing policy decisions on the assumption that generative AI will be revolutionary.
Artificial intelligence will initially impact white-collar jobs, leading to increased productivity and the need for fewer workers, according to IBM CEO Arvind Krishna. However, he also emphasized that AI will augment rather than displace human labor and that it has the potential to create more jobs and boost GDP.
Professionals are optimistic about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their productivity and view it as an augmentation to their work rather than a complete replacement, according to a report by Thomson Reuters, with concerns centered around compromised accuracy and data security.
Generative AI models like ChatGPT are expected to augment job roles rather than replace them, according to an IBM study, with executives estimating that 40% of their workforce will need to reskill in the next three years due to AI implementation. The study also found that tech adopters who successfully reskill experience a 15% revenue growth rate premium on average and a 36% higher revenue growth rate for those focusing on AI. The new skill paradigm prioritizes people skills like team management and effective communication.
Companies are adopting Generative AI technologies, such as Copilots, Assistants, and Chatbots, but many HR and IT professionals are still figuring out how these technologies work and how to implement them effectively. Despite the excitement and potential, the market for Gen AI is still young and vendors are still developing solutions.
Entrepreneurs and CEOs can gain a competitive edge by incorporating generative AI into their businesses, allowing for expanded product offerings, increased employee productivity, more accurate market trend predictions, but they must be cautious of the limitations and ethical concerns of relying too heavily on AI.
The US consumer behavior is driven by mixed signals due to an uncertain economy, with increasing consumer confidence, concerns about rising prices and job security, and a trend of trading down and splurging on certain categories, according to McKinsey senior partner Kelsey Robinson; McKinsey AI experts Michael Chui and Alex Singla discuss the opportunities and benefits of generative AI (gen AI) in various industries, such as banking, healthcare, marketing, and R&D, and estimate a potential value of $2 trillion to $4 trillion annually for businesses that effectively harness gen AI; Companies should prepare for the adoption of gen AI, aligning it with their strategic goals, encouraging employees to explore and learn about the technology, and using it to create value and gain a competitive advantage; However, the adoption and impact of gen AI may vary based on the region and the specific use cases.
The surge in generative AI technology is revitalizing the tech industry, attracting significant venture capital funding and leading to job growth in the field.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT could potentially change the nature of certain jobs, breaking them down into smaller, less skilled roles and potentially leading to job degradation and lower pay, while also creating new job opportunities. The impact of generative AI on the workforce is uncertain, but it is important for workers to advocate for better conditions and be prepared for potential changes.
Generative artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies have the potential to significantly boost productivity and economic output, but knowledge workers will face challenges as the nature of work evolves.
Generative AI, a technology with the potential to significantly boost productivity and add trillions of dollars to the global economy, is still in the early stages of adoption and widespread use at many companies is still years away due to concerns about data security, accuracy, and economic implications.
AI has the potential to disrupt the job market, with almost 75 million jobs at risk of automation, but it is expected to be more collaborative than replacing humans, and it also holds the potential to augment around 427 million jobs, creating a digitally capable future; however, this transition is highly gendered, with women facing a higher risk of automation, particularly in clerical jobs.
A new report from recruitment giant Randstad reveals that while there is a significant increase in job postings requiring skills in generative AI, there is a skills gap with only one in 10 workers being offered AI training opportunities, highlighting the need for employers to step up and fill this gap. Furthermore, the report indicates that businesses may be losing out on top talent, particularly Gen Z employees, by not providing AI training, and that employers have a responsibility to help create the talent of the future.
Artificial intelligence will disrupt the employer-employee relationship, leading to a shift in working for tech intermediaries and platforms, according to former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who warns that this transformation will be destabilizing for the U.S. middle class and could eradicate labor protections.
Generative AI is most popular among Gen Z and millennials, with the majority of users stating that it is transforming their lives and they are quickly learning to use it; however, there is a clear divide between generations and employment status, with slower adoption among Gen X and baby boomers, and concerns about the impact on their lives and data security being the main reasons for hesitation.
The rise of generative AI is driving a surge in freelance tech jobs, with job postings and searches related to AI increasing on platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, and Fiverr, indicating a growing demand for AI experts.
The rise of generative AI is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence in enterprises, prompting CXOs to consider building systems of intelligence that complement existing systems of record and engagement. These systems leverage data, analytics, and AI technologies to generate insights, make informed decisions, and drive intelligent actions within organizations, ultimately improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and driving innovation.
Generative AI can help small businesses manage their social media presence, personalize customer service, streamline content creation, identify growth opportunities, optimize scheduling and operations, enhance decision-making, revolutionize inventory management, transform supply chain management, refine employee recruitment, accelerate design processes, strengthen data security, and introduce predictive maintenance systems, ultimately leading to increased productivity, cost savings, and overall growth.
As generative AI continues to gain attention and interest, business leaders must also focus on other areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation to effectively lead and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
Emerging technologies, particularly AI, pose a threat to job security and salary levels for many workers, but individuals can futureproof their careers by adapting to AI and automation, upskilling their soft skills, and staying proactive and intentional about their professional growth and learning.
Consulting firm PwC plans to train 75,000 workers in the US and Mexico on artificial intelligence to ensure that all employees have a basic understanding of AI and can incorporate it into their work.
Companies that delay adopting artificial intelligence (AI) risk being left behind as current AI tools can already speed up 20% of worker tasks without compromising quality, according to a report by Bain & Co.'s 2023 Technology Report.
Nearly half of CEOs (49%) believe that artificial intelligence (AI) could replace most or all of their roles, and 47% think it would be beneficial, according to a survey from online education platform edX. However, executives also acknowledged that "soft skills" defining a good CEO, such as critical thinking and collaboration, would be difficult for AI to replicate. Additionally, the survey found that 49% of existing skills in the current workforce may not be relevant by 2025, with 47% of workers unprepared for the future.
The era of intelligence driven by artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of human resources, allowing employees to access and utilize information more easily and quickly through generative AI language models, but HR teams need to be ready to help employees take advantage of this new technology.
Generative AI is expected to have a significant impact on jobs, with some roles benefiting from enhanced job quality and growth, while others face disruption and a shift in required skills, according to a report from the World Economic Forum. The integration of AI into the workforce brings mixed reactions but emphasizes the need for proactive measures to maximize benefits and minimize risks. Additionally, the report highlights the importance of a balanced workforce that values both technical AI skills and people skills for future success.
White-collar workers, particularly those in software development, information technology, mathematics, information design, legal, and accounting positions, are at the highest risk of job displacement due to the rise of generative AI, with 95% of the skills required for these jobs being effectively performed by AI, according to research from Indeed. Jobs such as truck and taxi drivers, as well as cleaning and sanitation and beauty and wellness jobs, are considered least exposed to AI due to their reliance on in-person presence.
The advent of generative AI (gen AI) is transforming the future of work, requiring companies to embrace the technology and adapt to the deep and lasting changes it will bring, including job automation and the need for reskilling and upskilling in certain occupations, according to a report from McKinsey. The impact of gen AI will be significant, affecting both lower-wage and higher-wage jobs, but it also presents opportunities for job augmentation and the growth of higher-paying roles. Additionally, investments in infrastructure renewal and the pursuit of net-zero climate goals will create new jobs while displacing others, necessitating transitions and upskilling efforts. It is crucial to ensure that the future of work is inclusive and does not disadvantage traditionally marginalized groups, and targeted reskilling and upskilling programs, public-private partnerships, and skills-based hiring can help address these challenges.
AI is dramatically reshaping industries and driving productivity, but businesses that lag behind in adaptation risk falling behind and becoming obsolete. Job displacement may occur, but history suggests that new roles will emerge. The responsibility lies with us to guide AI's evolution responsibly and ensure its transformative power benefits all of society.
Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are pushing generative AI assistants for their products and services, but it remains to be seen if consumers will actually use and adopt these tools, as previous intelligent assistants have not gained widespread adoption or usefulness. The companies are selling the idea that generative AI is amazing and will greatly improve our lives, but there are still concerns about trust, reliability, and real-world applications of these assistants.
Advances in artificial intelligence are making AI a possible threat to the job security of millions of workers, with around 47% of total U.S. employment at risk, and jobs in various industries, including office support, legal, architecture, engineering, and sales, becoming potentially obsolete.
AI: Will It Replace Humans in the Workplace? Summary: The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has raised concerns that it could potentially replace human workers in various industries. While some believe that AI tools like ChatGPT are still unreliable and require human involvement, there are still underlying factors that suggest AI could threaten job security. One interesting development is the use of invasive monitoring apps by corporations to collect data on employee behavior. This data could be used to train AI programs that can eventually replace workers. Whether through direct interaction or passive data collection, workers might inadvertently train AI programs to take over their jobs. While some jobs may not be completely replaced, displacement could still lead to lower-paying positions. Policymakers will need to address the potential destabilization of the economy and society by offering social safety net programs and effective retraining initiatives. The advancement of AI technology should not be underestimated, as it could bring unforeseen disruptions to the job market in the future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are expected to disrupt professions, boost productivity, and transform business workflows, according to Marco Argenti, the Chief Information Officer at Goldman Sachs, who believes that companies are already seeing practical results from AI and expecting real gains. AI can enhance productivity, change the nature of certain professions, and expand the universe of use cases, particularly when applied to business processes and workflows. However, Argenti also highlighted the potential risks associated with AI, such as social engineering and the generation of toxic content.
Generation Z professionals are not overly concerned about generative AI replacing their jobs, but they are less prepared for their employers to adopt it into everyday work, according to a study by Adobe; however, only 23% of respondents expressed excitement about the implementation of generative AI at work.
Experts fear that corporations using advanced software to monitor employees could be training artificial intelligence (AI) to replace human roles in the workforce.
Generative AI is an emerging technology that is gaining attention and investment, with the potential to impact nonroutine analytical work and creative tasks in the workplace, though there is still much debate and experimentation taking place in this field.
Generative AI is expected to have a significant impact on the labor market, automating tasks and revolutionizing data analysis, with projected economic implications of $4.1 trillion and potentially benefiting AI-related stocks and software companies.
Generative AI has the potential to automate certain tasks, leading to job augmentation rather than complete redundancy, with the most affected job category being clerical support workers, a change that could disproportionately impact women; policymakers should consider workers' voice and job training programs to address these potential impacts.
CEOs prioritize investments in generative AI, but there are concerns about the allocation of capital, ethical challenges, cybersecurity risks, and the lack of regulation in the AI landscape.
The responsibility of determining how generative AI innovations will be implemented across the economy lies with all individuals, from AI experts to finance professionals, who should have a baseline understanding of responsible AI and contribute to the decision-making process, according to experts. The National Institute for Standards and Technology has released an AI risk management framework to guide organizations in reducing discrimination, increasing transparency, and ensuring trustworthiness in AI systems. CEOs and executive committees must take responsibility for assessing the use of AI within their organizations, and strong governance is essential for successful implementation. Additionally, concerns about the impact of AI on the workforce can be addressed through training programs that focus on responsible AI practices.
Generative AI is disrupting various industries with its transformative power, offering real-world use cases such as drug discovery in life sciences and optimizing drilling paths in the oil and gas industry, but organizations need to carefully manage the risks associated with integration complexity, legal compliance, model flaws, workforce disruption, reputational risks, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities to ensure responsible adoption and maximize the potential of generative AI.
Artificial intelligence is a top investment priority for US CEOs, with more than two-thirds ranking investment in generative AI as a primary focus for their companies, driven by the disruptive potential and promising returns on investments expected within the next few years.
A new study shows that executives are optimistic about the rise of generative AI in the workplace and believe that human roles will remain central in the workforce.
Generative AI is revolutionizing the professional landscape by automating tasks, but senior professionals without tech skills can still excel by leveraging their expertise and experience, as AI cannot replicate their firsthand encounters and interactions.