AI Forces 40% of Workers to Reskill: IBM Study

Discover how 40% of workers can reskill and succeed, according to IBM's research

In this dynamic era of technological progress, the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about seismic shifts in various industries. A recent study by IBM has highlighted a significant consequence of this transformation – the necessity for 40% of the global workforce to stay relevant in the job market.

About 87% of executives, according to tech giant IBM, believe that generative AI would improve job functions rather than replace them. This percentage is more than 90% in the areas of procurement (97%) risk and compliance (93%) and finance (93%) and is closer to three-quarters in marketing (73%) and customer service (77%) as well.

 According to the IBM study, around 40% of employees across the world are facing a critical juncture in their careers. The roles they currently hold are either being fully automated or undergoing a significant transformation due to AI integration. As a result, these workers need to adapt by acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones. This Reskilling imperative is an essential survival strategy in an age where staying ahead of technological disruptions is paramount.

4 ways to Increase the usability of AI, according to industry experts

Intuitive Interfaces:

Creating user-friendly interfaces that require minimal training ensures accessibility. Streamlined designs, natural language interaction, and visual aids simplify AI interaction, making it more user-friendly for diverse audiences.

Explainable AI:

Building transparent AI models fosters trust and comprehension. Providing explanations for AI-generated decisions enhances user confidence and enables better decision-making, particularly in critical domains like healthcare and finance.

Human-AI Collaboration:

Designing systems that blend AI's efficiency with human intuition and empathy enriches outcomes. AI augments human capabilities, while humans oversee, interpret, and validate results, yielding more accurate and meaningful insights.

Personalization and Adaptation:

Tailoring AI experiences to individual preferences and evolving needs increases relevance. Adaptive algorithms that learn from user behavior enable AI systems to provide more accurate recommendations and responses over time.

IBM IBV research highlights that adept tech adopters, who reskill for technology-driven shifts, achieve a 15% revenue growth rate premium. Furthermore, AI-focused firms experience a 36% higher revenue growth than peers. IBM emphasizes that AI empowers users, predicting that AI users will replace non-users in the evolving landscape.

The imperative to reskill is not solely on the employees; organizations are also being challenged to facilitate this transformation. Companies are recognizing the need to provide continuous learning opportunities to their workforce. Upskilling programs, online courses, and immersive workshops are becoming the norm as businesses acknowledge that a skilled workforce is their most valuable asset.

IBM study said "As AI's evolution progresses, its impact will intensify across all levels, including managerial and executive tiers, reshaping roles and operations. The World Economic Forum forecasts disruption to 85 million jobs globally by 2025, accompanied by the creation of 97 million new positions. Notably, 44% of workers' skills are projected to face disruption from 2023 to 2028, a nine-point increase from the prior projection. Experts suggest three pivotal priorities: revamp processes, roles, and structures for productivity and new models; foster human-machine collaborations for value and engagement; and invest in technology for higher-value tasks and revenue growth".