Prepare for AI impact on tech jobs now, experts warn

A new survey of UK-based HR leaders working in IT and telecoms reveals that the sectors will require at least three years to prepare for the impact of AI on the workplace – despite experts warning that AI will have changed radically in that time.

In total 44% said it would take a minimum of three years before they were prepared for the impact of AI on their roles, and just over one in ten (12%) said they would be ready within the year.

To integrate AI, 47% were investing in their tech teams, while more than a third (37%) were increasing budget in this area.

The survey commissioned by research-driven consultancy YOHO Workplace Strategy also asked the respondents which jobs would be most impacted by AI.

IT and telecoms HR directors and managers put IT and technology jobs (39%) at the top of the list, followed by finance and accounting (29%), transport and logistics (24%) and sales and marketing (22%).

Grant Price, YOHO’s CEO said: “AI has the potential to be the biggest disruptor of the way the IT and telecoms industry works since the industrial revolution.

“Our research shows businesses don’t think they will be prepared for the seismic changes AI will have until three years’ time.

“But all sources indicate AI will have changed radically in that time and businesses need to prepare for this now,” he added.

Pros and cons

The survey also identified the top five concerns about AI in the workplace, which included technical issues (39%), dependence on technology (36%), lack of human interaction (32%), security and privacy concerns (27%) and cost (25%).

Respondents claimed expected benefits include increased innovation and creativity (36%), enhanced customer service and satisfaction (32%), improved decision-making and accuracy (32%), automation of routine or repetitive tasks (32%), better allocation of resources and time management (24%) and cost savings and reduction in labour costs (24%).

Varying responses from different age groups were also revealed.

The biggest concerns among 18-to-34-year-old senior executives were AI’s potential to reduce human interaction and increase company dependence on technology (36%).

Among those aged 35-to-55 and over, the biggest fear was over security and privacy (29%).

Price predicts that AI will displace jobs rapidly in IT and telecoms and while it will create new jobs, this is unlikely to be at the same rate.  “The winners will be those who pivot to leverage its capabilities the quickest, as AI enables the translation of data into actionable insight at speed,” he said.

“As pressure grows to allow AI to start recommending changes to our business strategy in the IT and telecoms industry – the question is whether we will find ways to retain sufficient control before we grant AI this role,” he added.

Kate Bishop, chief human resources officer, software company IFS said that it was time for firms to think about the unplanned exponential growth of AI.

“HR leaders will be called upon to develop ethical guidelines and govern AI’s use. We also need to acknowledge job transformation – some roles will be lost but others will be created. And we must invest in upskilling our existing workforces,” she said.

“We will also have to be vigilant in pre-empting any potential issues or biases that may arise. By actively monitoring AI technologies, we can be the ones to identify new opportunities for growth and improvement,” she added.

Last month at LTW2023,  Lenovo SVP and chief information officer, Arthur Hu advised the industry advised firms that they could overcome their concerns about AI by putting the human experience at the heart of applications.

Last month TI also highlighted three jobs in AI and machine learning that are hiring right now.