AI and work culture: massive change

The representative online survey on which the study is based was conducted in May 2024 on behalf of InKonstellation by the market research institute Bilendi. According to the survey, 54% of employees expect AI to significantly change the world of work in the coming years.

Political fakes as the biggest AI risk

Professionals currently see the greatest AI risks in political issues. The "use of fake statements or images in political debates" is seen as an AI risk by 70%, while the "massive loss of jobs" is seen as a risk by 50%. Only 10% see their own job threatened by AI.

Massive changes in the world of work

The biggest change in the world of work is seen in automation and increased productivity (69%). However, a majority see equally strong changes in the work culture - for example through the increase in remote work (57%), the change in work roles and skills (63%) or the increasing need for lifelong learning (52%).

Human collaboration and AI

In general, respondents see more opportunities (55%) than risks (55%) in artificial intelligence. However, when it comes to the specific consequences of AI for human collaboration, professionals are much more skeptical. 63%, for example, expect human collaboration to become more difficult rather than easier due to the influence of AI.

Shrinking communication skills

62% expect AI to shrink human communication skills rather than increase them. "People are unlearning how to work together, communicate and develop empathy," writes one participant in a comment on his expectations regarding the impact of AI on human collaboration. Another fears: "Interpersonal communication and the emotional significance of facial expressions and gestures will be completely lost."

Transformation in management practice

The majority of employees also expect drastic changes when it comes to leadership. For example, 55% assume that virtual leadership will increase and 52% expect that decisions on the morally responsible use of AI will become a management task. As many as 45% believe that leadership will change more "in the direction of coaching, cultural work and strategy". Only 21% believe that their own managers are "well" or "very well" prepared for AI changes.

Man-machine advantage

The study shows: The penetration of artificial intelligence into the world of work will be a huge transformation process that people must and can actively shape. "Humans still have a big head start compared to AI because they think and act in a human rather than machine-like, error-free way," says Timo Schlage, founder and CEO of InKonstellation: "Perceiving and understanding the conditions and possibilities of human action in social systems and translating them into joint action is part of this head start. From our point of view, it is a good idea to extend this lead now."

Source: www.in-konstellation.de