The artificial intelligence revolution is leaving employers searching for workers with the skills needed to support technological advances in the workplace, according to a new study of senior executives from Fortune 2000 companies by the World Employment Confederation/FT Longitude.
According to the “The Work We Want” study of hundreds of senior executives from Fortune 2000 companies
- 81% of business leaders believe that AI and other tech disruptions will force organizations to radically rethink skills and human resources in their workforce
- 78% of those same executives are concerned that they will be unable to train employees fast enough to keep pace with tech developments in the next three years
“The Work We Want is a conversation starter for governments, employers, and workers to address our new work reality and find solutions—collectively—to deliver better labor market outcomes for all,” said Denis Pennel, the managing director of the World Employment Confederation. “AI has made agility nonnegotiable, and the HR services industry is crucial in helping to fill the labor and skills gaps brought on by digitalization.”
This news comes on the heels of a recent American Staffing Association/Harris Poll Workforce Monitor© study, which found that 47% of employed Americans believe automation can easily replace their jobs.
“AI and automation are rapidly changing all of our lives, and employers and employees are struggling to keep up,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association. “The staffing industry is committed to helping to meet the global upskilling challenge and imperative head on in the U.S. and around the world.”
One of the solutions to bridging unexpected resourcing gaps is an agile workforce.
- 92% of senior executives say they’ll need a more flexible workforce in the next two years.
- 79% of senior executives also highlight that employing agency workers with knowledge of a new technology is an effective way to spread understanding to permanent employees.
The project also includes interviews of senior business leaders and global experts in talent planning and the future of work to learn their perspectives on the evolving world of work.
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Behind the “The Work We Want” Initiative
The project is led by the World Employment Confederation, the global voice of the HR services industry. The World Employment Confederation commissioned FT Longitude to conduct a survey in November and December 2023 of 715 senior executives from around the world, including 680 from Forbes Global 2000 companies and 35 public sector organizations.
Media contacts:
Megan Sweeney
American Staffing Association
703-253-1151
m*******@americanstaffing.net
Aurélie Pattyn
Communications Manager
World Employment Confederation
