MENLO PARK, Calif., June 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Are workers worried they’ll be displaced by robots in the future? Not for the most part, new research from global staffing firm Robert Half shows. Only 12% of workers are concerned that artificial intelligence (AI) and automation will have a negative impact on their job. About four in 10 (39%) believe new technologies will have a positive effect, and 49% foresee no change at all.

But futurists and staffing experts interviewed for Robert Half’s new report, Jobs and AI Anxiety, believe emerging technologies are profoundly shifting the workplace. According to more than 1,200 business leaders surveyed for the research, one of the top ways technological advancements will affect jobs is that they will require new skills from employees.

“There’s no question new technology will continue to transform jobs in all fields, from finance and accounting to legal and marketing — and professionals need to embrace and stay ahead of changes,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half. “Employees who are committed to learning about and preparing for advancements in the workplace will be best positioned for success.”

View an infographic of how employees and employers think emerging technologies will impact the workforce.

Additional Findings

• In addition to requiring new skills (47%), employers said other top impacts of new technologies on their staff include:
• Increased employee productivity (47%)
• More time for teams to focus on strategic areas (44%)
• New career opportunities (44%)
• Change in processes (44%)
• Almost 2 in 5 employees (39%) said they see AI and automation having a positive impact on their job, mainly for the following reasons:
• Increased productivity (33%)
• Ability to develop new skills and deliver better business solutions (27%)
• Opportunity to focus on creativity and problem-solving (27%)
• Among the 28 U.S. cities in the worker survey, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and Cleveland have the most professionals who think AI and automation will have no impact on their job.

Upskilling for the Future
Business leaders surveyed for the Jobs and AI Anxiety report expect to upgrade the technological skills of their workforce by training current staff (64%), hiring new staff (47%), working with external service providers (47%) and bringing in consultants who are subject matter experts (45%).

But 82% of managers think it will be challenging to get their staff up to speed on new technologies, and 80% anticipate it will be difficult to find professionals with the requisite expertise.

McDonald noted, “Technology disruptions create a level playing field for professionals and businesses, which can be exciting but also a little overwhelming. Employees can help future-proof their careers by learning new skills to make them more valuable. And employers can prepare for the future by identifying knowledge gaps and upskilling their workers or determining a staffing strategy to address their needs.”

Visit the Robert Half blog for more information on and advice for navigating the future workplace, including:

• What’s the Future Impact of AI Technology on the Workplace?
• 5 Strategies to Future-Proof Your Career and Embrace Digital Change
• 6 Strategies to Prepare the Workforce of the Future

About the Research
The online surveys were developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. The worker survey includes responses from more than 2,800 professionals 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments in 28 major U.S. cities. More than 1,200 managers in the U.S. were surveyed for the Jobs and AI Anxiety report.

About Robert Half
Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm. The company has more than 300 staffing locations worldwide and offers job search services at roberthalf.com.

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SOURCE Robert Half