Microsoft and LinkedIn released:

The 2024 Work Trend Index on the state of AI at work

In 2024, the use of generative AI has nearly doubled in the last six months, with 75% of global knowledge workers now employing it. Despite widespread adoption and the recognition of AI as a business imperative, many leaders are still struggling to devise clear strategies to harness AI for tangible business growth. This struggle is compounded by the pressure to demonstrate immediate ROI, leading to a form of strategic inertia.

This year marks a critical phase in technology disruption, akin to the early days of the internet or the PC, moving from mere experimentation to impactful business transformation. As AI reshapes the labor market, there is a notable talent shortage in key roles. Microsoft and LinkedIn’s extensive research, which surveyed 31,000 people across 31 countries and analyzed data from LinkedIn and Microsoft 365, highlights this shift. The findings emphasize the importance of AI proficiency, which is becoming as crucial as traditional experience in the modern job market.

To guide leaders and organizations in navigating this transition, the research suggests a focus on strategic implementation of AI to maintain a competitive edge and effectively manage the evolving job landscape. These insights aim to help leaders harness AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a transformative element for business growth and innovation.

1. Employees Want AI at Work—and They Won’t Wait for Companies to Catch Up

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75% of knowledge workers are currently using AI.

Notably, 46% of these users began leveraging AI technologies within the last six months. The benefits are substantial: 90% of users report time savings, 85% can focus better on critical tasks, 84% experience enhanced creativity, and 83% enjoy increased job satisfaction.

Picture 1. Three Out of Four People Use AI at Work. Usage nearly doubled in the last six months.

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Without guidance or approval from senior management, employees are independently utilizing AI tools and keeping their use confidential. It is noticed that a significant portion of AI users (78%) are proactively bringing personal AI to work (BYOAI) to leverage these technologies for productivity gains. And BYOAI cuts across all generations.

Picture 2. Share of survey respondents who are using AI tools at work not provided by their organization. It indicates that BYOAI is pervasive as employees across every age group are bringing their own AI tools to work.

Another driver of BYOAI is that work has accelerated faster than employees’ ability to keep up.

·      68% of people say they struggle with the pace and volume of work, and 46% feel burned out.

·      Email overload persists—85% of emails are read in under 15 seconds, and the typical person has to read about 4 emails for every 1 they send.

·      Meetings and after-hours work are holding steady at their post-pandemic highs, and the workday still skews toward communication: in the Microsoft 365 apps, users spend 60% of their time on emails, chats, and meetings, and only 40% in creation apps like Word and PowerPoint.

“AI can help liberate workers from menial work and enable innovation and creativity to flourish.” —Michael Platt, neuroscientist and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

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While 79% of leaders agree AI adoption is critical to remain competitive, 59% worry about quantifying the productivity gains of AI and 60% worry their company lacks a vision and plan to implement it.

As the adoption of AI accelerates, leaders who are highly knowledgeable about AI recognize its potential to be as transformative as the historical transition from typewriters to computers.

It is clearly shown that individuals are burdened by digital debt and workplace stress-and they are increasingly turning to AI as a solution. This presents a significant opportunity for leaders to convert this momentum into ROI.

2. For employees, AI raises the bar and breaks the career ceiling

The influence of AI on the job market presents a complex scenario beyond the common concern of job losses. Analysis reveals a nuanced reality characterized by a latent talent shortage, a workforce eager for career transformation, and significant opportunities for individuals prepared to acquire AI-related skills.

Leaders are hiring: Most leaders (55%) express concern over the availability of qualified talent to occupy vacant positions this year, especially in cybersecurity, engineering, and creative design.

Professionals are looking: Globally, 46% of professionals are considering quitting in the year ahead, marking a peak since the Great Reshuffle of 2021. And a LinkedIn study highlights that in the U.S., an even larger proportion of 85% are considering career changes.

Leadership Focus on AI Aptitude: Strategic Insights in Recruitment Perspectives

Leaders have significantly increased their recruitment of technical AI specialists. Currently, they are focusing on non-technical professionals who possess the skills to utilize generative AI tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT.

·      66% of leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills.

·      71% say they’d rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them.

·      And junior candidates may have a new edge: 77% of leaders say, with AI, early-in-career talent will be given greater responsibilities.

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While leaders recognize the importance of hiring new employees with AI aptitude, they often overlook the potential of cultivating these skills within their existing workforce. This oversight leads many employees to take the initiative themselves, seeking out skills and training independently to stay competitive and relevant in their fields.

As of late last year, there was a 142x increase in LinkedIn members adding AI skills like Copilot and ChatGPT to their profiles and a 160% increase in non-technical professionals using LinkedIn Learning courses to build their AI aptitude.

To sum up, in an environment where references to AI in LinkedIn job posts result in a 17% increase in application rates, the benefits are mutual: companies that equip their employees with AI resources and education are likely to attract top-tier talent, while professionals who enhance their skills with AI are positioned to gain a competitive advantage.

3. The rise of the AI power user—and what they reveal about the future

In this research, four types of AI users emerged on a spectrum — from skeptics who rarely use AI to power users who use it extensively. The #1 predictor of an AI power user is frequently experimenting with AI. Unlike skeptics, power users have fundamentally transformed their workdays, enhancing business processes and saving over 30 minutes daily. Furthermore, 92% of power users report that AI has enhanced their creativity, and 93% believe it helps them focus on essential tasks. Additionally, 91% of users feel more motivated and enjoy their work more due to AI.

Power users work for a different kind of company. They are 61% more likely to have heard from their CEO on the importance of using generative AI at work, 53% more likely to receive encouragement from leadership to consider how AI can transform their function and 35% more likely to receive tailored AI training for their specific role or function.

Picture 4. Four types of AI users emerged on a spectrum.

In 2024, the use of generative AI has nearly doubled in the last six months. Despite widespread adoption and the recognition of AI as a business imperative, many leaders are still struggling to devise clear strategies to harness AI for tangible business growth. This struggle is compounded by the pressure to demonstrate immediate ROI, leading to a form of strategic inertia.

This year marks a critical phase in technology disruption, transitioning from experimentation to transformative business impact. As AI reshapes the labor market, a talent shortage emerges. Microsoft and LinkedIn’s research, surveying 31,000 people globally, emphasizes the growing importance of AI proficiency, becoming as crucial as traditional experience in the modern job market.

To guide leaders and organizations in navigating this transition, the research suggests a focus on strategic implementation of AI to maintain a competitive edge and effectively manage the evolving job landscape. These insights aim to help leaders harness AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a transformative element for business growth and innovation.

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Source: Microsoft and LinkedIn release the 2024 Work Trend Index on the state of AI at work – The Official Microsoft Blog