A fresh report indicates that younger professionals in the United States are increasingly apprehensive about the threat of being replaced by individuals with superior skills in generative AI.
Based on a survey conducted by D2L among 3,000 full-time and part-time workers in the US, findings revealed that 43% of respondents harbor concerns about being supplanted by counterparts with more adept AI abilities within the next year.
Breaking down the data by generation, it was disclosed that Generation Z employees express the highest level of worry, with 52% expressing concerns, closely followed by Millennials at 45%. Conversely, only 33% of Gen X workers share similar apprehensions, marking them as the least troubled cohort among all generations.
This study comes against the backdrop of the widespread integration of generative AI technologies across various sectors in the US. Nearly half of the surveyed individuals (49%) acknowledged utilizing generative AI tools at least once a week in their professional capacities, with 52% indicating usage outside of their work environments as well.
Approximately a quarter of Gen Z and Millennial respondents expressed intentions to undertake multiple professional development courses over the coming year
In response to the burgeoning use of generative AI tools and the accompanying anxieties regarding potential displacement, the report underscores a burgeoning interest among employees in pursuing opportunities for upskilling. Approximately a quarter of Gen Z (26%) and Millennial (24%) respondents expressed intentions to undertake multiple professional development courses over the coming year, compared to a mere 12% of Gen X employees.
The report suggests that these individuals anticipate enrolling in six to ten courses within the next 12 months, signaling a proactive approach towards enhancing their skill sets amidst evolving workplace dynamics.
Sasha Thackaberry, VP of Wave at D2L, emphasized the significance of this trend, highlighting it as an opportunity for employers to support their workforce in preparing for the future. “Skills development – whether it pertains to optimizing the use of generative AI or simply staying abreast of changes – is imperative for employees to navigate the swiftly evolving work landscape,” remarked Thackaberry in a statement.
Her observations underscore the growing emphasis on upskilling initiatives worldwide, driven by emerging employment patterns such as the proliferation of generative AI technologies and concerns surrounding potential spikes in global unemployment.
