Artificial Intelligence at Work: The Shifting Landscape of Future Skills and the Future of Work

Survey findings showed that most respondents are somewhat familiar with AI tools to use in the workplace. Just under a third of those who were employed indicated that they have used AI at work to help with tasks with positive effects; the majority reported that using AI had made them more productive and more creative at work. Despite this, those who were the most familiar with AI tools in the workplace were those who were the most worried about their jobs becoming automated.

Perceptions of new technologies were mainly mixed or positive, with the exception of training at work: just over half of respondents felt that their employer was not providing enough training in new technologies. Consistent with this, most respondents who had used AI at work indicated that they had done so largely without any training or formal guidance from their employer. Instead, employees are taking it upon themselves to learn how to use these tools, either learning on the go while using the technology or seeking out and engaging in training themselves and governing use of these tools on their own.

Group differences were also identified. Younger age groups, men, Indigenous, racialized and immigrant respondents were more likely than their counterparts to be familiar and have received training on AI tools in the workplace.