AI deployment: fear of job loss among almost half of employees

The summary of the annual report is created with ChatGPT, the graphics for it come from DALL-E: Generative AI programs have rapidly established themselves in everyday office life in Switzerland and are now part of daily business for many employees. This is shown by the survey "The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI in Switzerland" by the audit and consulting firm Deloitte Switzerland. For the survey, 1,002 people were questioned throughout Switzerland who could in principle use generative AI in their work. As the survey of these groups of people shows, six out of ten employees (61%) who work with a computer or similar device already use Generative AI programs in their everyday working lives. In the private sphere, usage is even slightly higher at 64 percent. The highest percentage in professional use is for AI text programs (47%), followed by image programs (26%) and coding programs (24%). The majority of respondents are satisfied with the results obtained and rate the results provided by AI with 7 out of 10 (possible) points.

Many companies lack guidelines for AI use

The high number of users illustrates the already high level of implementation of generative AI in the office workplace: many respondents state that AI programs enable them to work more efficiently (63%), be more creative (54%) or improve the quality of their work (45%). However, with the widespread use of generative AI by employees also comes a problem that poses great risks for companies: In many companies, AI implementation is not steered by management and consequently provided with clear guidelines, but is instead carried out by the employees themselves - in a quarter of all cases (26%) even without the knowledge of their direct superiors. Thus, 61 percent of respondents say their company does not have corporate guidelines for AI use. 24 percent of respondents also state that the use of AI is prohibited in their company - at least for the time being.

For companies, this poses major risks, for example with regard to data protection or the circumvention of established operating processes. This vulnerability is also evident in the devices used: Just under 60 percent of respondents say they use their personal computers or cell phones when using generative AI for work.

However, the survey also shows that many respondents are well aware of the potential risks posed to their employer by the use of AI: Two-thirds (67%) see incorrect, erroneous or incomplete information as one of the main drawbacks of generative AI. Sixty-five percent of respondents have cybersecurity concerns, 64 percent cite data privacy as a problem, and 61 percent fault the lack of transparency around the sources and information used when using AI programs.

AI deployment: For companies, it will be a learning-by-doing process

"Companies cannot simply ignore or casually make AI implementation part of everyday work. Rather, they need to build active processes to realize the full potential of generative AI and address the risks described, as many employees are already using such programs," says Marc Beierschoder, Head of Artificial Intelligence and Data Offering at Deloitte Switzerland. "For many companies, it will be a learning-by-doing process. They first need to clarify legal and technological fundamentals to ensure that risks are managed effectively. Only in a second step is the focus on productivity gains. The final step is to define a long-term strategy beyond the immediately visible benefits. This requires considerable investment. In the long term, however, this promises much higher profits."

The benefits of systematic implementation go far beyond the immediately visible advantages: Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize business offerings, co-conceptualize new products and services, or change entire business models.

Widespread fear of potential job loss

It is sometimes these efficiencies and changing business models that worry many employees and AI users. Just under half of all respondents (43%) say they are concerned about losing their job over the next five years due to the increasing use of AI programs. Of particular interest here, employees who already use AI heavily in their day-to-day work are far more concerned about their job future, at 69 percent. This is one of the reasons why more than half of all respondents (54%) are convinced they will have to learn how to use generative AI programs. However, employees do not see themselves as responsible, but rather primarily the employer, who should provide them with the necessary knowledge through training and continuing education (48%). There is a gap in expectations here: 31 percent of all respondents have already received active support or training from their employer.

"Generative artificial intelligence will fundamentally change the world of work in the coming years. For both employees and employers, a constructive approach to the topic is important. Employees will benefit from simplified processes and increased efficiency in the future. For their part, however, companies have a responsibility to address concerns about the impact of AI on job security jobs and to train their employees through continuing education measures. This can lead to new forms of collaboration between humans and AI," explains Marc Beierschoder. "In constructively designed AI ecosystems, employees are not simply replaced by AI programs. Rather, AI-trained specialists use their knowledge in a targeted manner in their day-to-day work and thus actively contribute to the company's future strategy."