Microsoft and LinkedIn report: Generative artificial intelligence usage nearly doubles in workplace settings

A large number of workers around the world are eager to have Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their workplaces, with its use nearly doubling in the last six months according to the Work Trends Index report released by Microsoft and LinkedIn. The report, titled ‘AI at work is here. Now comes the hard part’, is based on an online survey of 31,000 people in 31 countries conducted between February and March 2024. It also includes data from labor and hiring trends on LinkedIn, productivity data from Microsoft 365, and studies with Fortune 500 clients.

Microsoft, which acquired LinkedIn in 2016, has established itself as a leader in the AI field through a partnership with OpenAI, the creator of the popular generative AI chatbot ChatGPT. Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, believes AI democratizes knowledge across the workforce and presents opportunities for companies to make better decisions, collaborate effectively, and achieve results.

The report reveals that 75% of knowledge workers incorporate generative AI into their work, with 78% of these individuals bringing AI tools to their workplace. The use of AI is more common in small and medium-sized companies, where 80% of employees utilize these technologies. Workers who use AI report that it saves time, boosts creativity, and allows them to focus on critical tasks.

However, concerns around job security arise as 53% of AI users worry that their use of the technology may make them replaceable. Despite this, there is a significant increase in professionals adding AI skills to their profiles on platforms like LinkedIn. Business leaders agree that AI adoption is crucial for remaining competitive, yet many express worries about quantifying the productivity gains from AI and lacking a clear implementation plan.

As the report highlights the transformative potential of AI, there is a growing trend of workers taking the initiative to bring their own AI tools to work. This self-driven acquisition of AI skills may come at the expense of strategic, company-wide implementation of AI technologies. While there is a concern about job losses due to AI, there is also an opportunity for employees to train in AI and address hidden talent shortages.

The increasing adoption of AI prompts businesses to recognize the importance of acquiring AI skills. While a majority of leaders agree on the necessity of AI skills in hiring, only a fraction of workers have received formal training in this area. As AI continues to advance, leaders acknowledge its transformative power comparable to the shift from typewriters to computers.