71% of business leaders in the UK believe AI can play a key role in improving their relationship with work (versus 72% globally)
News Highlights
- Only 25% of desk workers in the UK (versus 27% globally) say they have a healthy relationship with work
- AI is key to unlocking a better relationship with work – with business leaders and IT decision makers most enthusiastic about its potential
- 69% of business leaders in the UK think AI will make their job easier (versus 75% globally)
- 55% of global desk workers believe AI will open up new opportunities for them to enjoy work; The same percentage think AI will make their job more interesting (versus 39% in the UK)
- Business leaders’ critical role is clear: to educate their employees on the possibilities of AI and take the lead on effectively introducing it
HP announced at their Amplify Partner Conference new findings from its Work Relationship Index, a comprehensive study that explores employees’ relationships with work around the world. The study, which surveyed more than 15,600 respondents across 12 countries, reveals that while the world’s relationship with work is strained and employee expectations are rising, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a key to unlocking better relationships with work.
“AI represents a significant opportunity to transform our work dynamics and unlock a more positive and productive environment for all,” stated Dave Shull, President of HP Workforce Solutions at HP Inc. “To foster greater understanding and acceptance of AI – and ensure employees know how to reap its benefits – business leaders must take the initiative to educate employees on AI’s potential and spearhead its effective integration.”
The World’s Relationship with Work Is Strained: AI Can Help
In today’s global workforce, there’s a notable strain in the relationship between individuals and work, with just 25% of UK desk workers reporting a healthy work relationship. Simultaneously, knowledge workers’ expectations of their relationship with work have surged, with 58% globally reporting that their expectations have increased over the past three years.
AI’s potential to foster healthier relationships with work is well understood by the workforce – with business leaders and IT decision makers leading the way. 54% of knowledge workers and 72% of business leaders see the role AI can play in improving work-life balance (versus 43% and 72% in the UK).
Notably, in the UK 40% of desk workers think AI will make their job ‘easier’ (versus 58% globally) and 46% ‘more interesting’ (versus 57% globally).
Business Leaders Must Guide AI Integration
The gap between business leaders, ITDMs and knowledge workers demonstrates the need for business leaders to effectively communicate the benefits of AI and educate employees on how to integrate it into their work processes – to help drive better business outcomes at the same time as strengthening individuals’ relationships with work. The survey showed that uncertainty persists regarding how best to use AI and take full advantage of it:
Almost 2 in 5 (41%) individuals in the UK feel unsure of when to use AI in the workplace. With 72% of business leaders and 64% of desk workers in the UK advocating for proper AI training, there’s a clear call for organisations to prioritise upskilling initiatives to empower their workforce in embracing AI technologies.
“In an evolving work landscape where businesses are striving to unlock heightened engagement, retention, and productivity, as well as keeping their employees inspired, the strategic integration of AI emerges as a potent force for transformation,” said Stella Low, Chief Communications Officer, HP Inc. “Knowledge workers around the world are looking to senior leadership to show them how to navigate the AI terrain effectively: the stage is set for business leaders to seize the opportunity to both empower their employees and drive success.”
Download the full Work Relationship Index ‘AI in the Workplace’ report here under “Download Latest Reports.”
Methodology
HP commissioned an online survey managed by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI) that fielded between June 9 – July 10, 2023, in 12 countries: the U.S., France, India, U.K., Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and Indonesia. HP surveyed 15,624 respondents in total – 12,012 knowledge workers (~1,000 in each country); 3,612 IT decision makers (~300 in each country); and 1,204 business leaders (~100 in each country).
