A recent survey conducted by global management consulting firm Oliver Wyman has unveiled a notable trend among employees in the UAE: 52 per cent express a preference for working alongside artificial intelligence (AI) “colleagues” rather than humans. The survey indicates a strong confidence among respondents in their ability to adapt to a significant increase in AI utilization within the workplace.
Generative AI, which encompasses algorithms like ChatGPT, is increasingly reshaping businesses and communities across the GCC, according to the report’s findings. The rise of AI is not only altering workplace dynamics but also influencing employee behavior, potentially impacting staff retention.
Concerns about AI disruption leading to job-seeking behavior are echoed by 25 per cent of UAE employees surveyed. However, there’s a notable openness among respondents toward incorporating AI in job applications, with 41 per cent expressing willingness to have AI screen their applications.
The UAE emerges as a frontrunner in AI deployment globally, with 74 per cent of employees reporting weekly usage of AI tools at work. Moreover, the country surpasses the global average in providing AI training to employees, registering at 84 per cent.
Despite these advancements, fears of AI replacing human roles are dismissed by Dr. Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief AI scientist. Speaking at the World Governments Summit 2024, LeCun emphasized that AI’s development still lags behind human cognition and intelligence, asserting that AI systems currently lack the planning and analytical capabilities inherent to human minds.
Moving forward, LeCun suggests a focus on developing AI systems that prioritize security and effectiveness, especially given concerns highlighted in the Oliver Wyman report. The survey indicates that 94 per cent of UAE employees using AI may have inadvertently exposed proprietary data, raising significant privacy and security challenges.
Jad Haddad, head of digital IMEA at Oliver Wyman, stresses the importance for employers to understand the impact of AI on their operations and to provide adequate training to mitigate potential risks associated with its use.
The Generative AI Survey, conducted between October and November 2023, surveyed over 12,000 employees across 16 countries to gauge attitudes and trends regarding AI adoption in the workplace.