Many workers see AI as a way to improve workplace output, new survey finds

Workers feel that their productivity is declining despite longer working hours – and are now ready and willing to embrace the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle this, according to a new study from Fujitsu. Meanwhile, they perceive businesses’ IT as failing to support them, with inadequate security, service failures and challenges in accessing the information that they need to be effective.

However, as the competition for skilled workers intensifies, today’s workplaces are failing to live up to the expectations of their workforce. In fact, almost half of all employees (46 percent) believe that their current workplace does not have a positive impact on the recruitment and retention of people with core skills.

Fujitsu’s new study, conducted by research firm Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), looked at the challenges that businesses are experiencing as they evolve, from the perspective of their workforce. Findings highlight that not all businesses have the right culture, environment policies and technology to enable their employees to be effective, or to attract talent in the future.

Although employees feel they are working as hard (45 percent) or harder (47 percent) than two years ago, more than 40 percent of respondents think their actual productivity has stalled or declined. This is potentially why most professionals surveyed now consider AI to be a positive force – as they recognize how it helps improve workplace productivity. Today, more than 80 percent of survey participants believed that AI, experienced via digital virtual assistants or personalized and adaptive user experiences, will have a positive effect on their daily working lives. And it isn’t just the digital native employees who are ready to embrace AI, with this positive outlook shared by both entry-level and more experienced workers.

As employees find themselves working longer hours, they are looking for ways to achieve balance between work and personal lives. This can be accomplished by flexible working hours and practices, with more than half (53 percent) considering this to be “very important” in terms of enhancing productivity. However, more than a third (35 percent) rate their employer’s ability to support a good work/life balance as only adequate or poor. A stimulating and healthy working environment was a close second at 49 percent, with access to the right productivity tools also named by 40 percent as the most important factors in their effectiveness.

Tony O’Malley, CEO of Fujitsu Ireland, comments: “In light of the ESRI’s recent findings related to stress in the workplace, it is very encouraging to see that Irish employees are now ready and willing to embrace the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle this. Although technology can impact negatively on employees’ ability to strike a healthy work/life balance through the blurring of our private and corporate lives, it may also be the solution. Artificial Intelligence and productivity tools have been identified as key to improving this as at a time when people are working harder than ever. We are focused on helping realise business outcomes while driving a wider impact on society, and delivering tangible value for customers.”

Nick Mayes, research lead and Principal Analyst at PAC, comments: “The survey findings show that many of today’s workplaces and working practices still prevent employees from maximizing their productivity. Businesses must focus on effective practices by getting their data and processes in order and making it easier for employees to access the information they need, when and where they need it. With these fundamentals and the right technology in place, the possibilities for enhancing productivity are endless, from providing adaptive experiences based on context and location, to intelligent assistance and a highly-personalized service for each individual. And these are key factors that help ensure the retention of top talent, in a highly competitive market.”

In the near future, Fujitsu expects workers to place a greater emphasis on the ability to effectively blend personal and work life. As AI, machine learning and robotic process automation technologies become more widely adopted, people will expect basic processes from their employers, such as onboarding activities and seamless service request automation. Enterprises that succeed in delivering this balance will ultimately be will be able to address the challenges of productivity and will win the war for talent, by attracting and retaining skilled employees. With its human centric approach, Fujitsu is well placed to provide the services, eco-systems and technologies required for the modern, personal and flexible workplace.