Despite Challenges, 55% of Employers Predict Increased Hiring Amid AI Adoption

Rhea-AI Summary

ManpowerGroup's new report indicates that 55% of employers expect to increase headcount due to AI and machine learning within the next two years. Conversely, 24% foresee no impact, and 18% anticipate workforce reductions. Nearly half of the companies (48%) have already adopted AI, showing a 13% increase from the previous year. The report emphasizes the importance of upskilling and reskilling to bridge existing skills gaps and adapt to new roles, with senior leaders (69%) more optimistic about AI's impact than frontline workers (57%). Key challenges include high costs (33%), privacy concerns (31%), and a lack of AI skills (31%).

Positive

• 55% of employers predict an increase in headcount due to AI and machine learning over the next two years.
• 48% of companies have already adopted AI, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.
• 72% of employers anticipate AI will enhance overall business performance.
• 70% of employers expect AI to facilitate upskilling, reskilling, and employee training.
• Senior leaders show high optimism (69%) about AI's impact on their organizations.

Negative

• 33% of respondents cite high costs as a significant barrier to AI adoption.
• 31% of companies are concerned about privacy and regulatory issues related to AI.
• 31% indicate a lack of employees with AI skills as a major challenge.
• 18% of employers expect AI to lead to staffing decreases.
• Frontline workers (57%) are notably less optimistic about AI compared to senior leaders.

New ManpowerGroup research reveals promising job growth, rapid AI integration, and strategies for success in the evolving workplace

MILWAUKEE, June 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half (55%) of employers expect to increase headcount due to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning over the next two years, with less than a quarter (24%) believing there will be no impact and just 18% anticipating reducing headcounts. The findings in ManpowerGroup's new report, "Building a People-First Strategy for AI-Powered Workforce Productivity," also reveal that nearly half (48%) of companies have already adopted AI, including generative conversational AI, marking an increase of 13% from the previous year.

"AI advances hold great promise to boost productivity, offer more meaningful work, and enhance human interactions," said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chairman & CEO. "To ensure this promise benefits the many, not the few, we must address skills gaps that currently exist and support people to develop in their careers and transition to new roles. Now is the time to prioritize upskilling, reskilling, and job redesign to build a brighter future of work."

KEY FINDINGS

• Hiring Expected to Grow: More than half (55%) of employers expect to increase headcount due to AI and machine learning over the next two years, while less than one in four (24%) believe there will be no impact. Just 18% anticipate the technology will lead to staffing decreases.
  
  
• Adoption Accelerates: Nearly half (48%) of companies have already adopted AI, including generative conversational AI, a 13% increase compared to responses one year ago (35%).
  
  
• Optimism Varies by Seniority: Employers reveal that AI optimism varies by seniority, with senior leaders (69%) being the most optimistic and factory floor and frontline workers (57%) being the least optimistic.
  
  
• Positive Impact Foreseen: When asked to predict the future impact of AI and machine learning at their organization, more than seven in ten (72%) anticipate AI will enhance overall business performance, with 70% expecting it to facilitate upskilling, reskilling, as well as employee training.
  
  
• Top Adoption Challenges: Respondents cited high costs (33%), concerns about privacy and regulations (31%), and lack of employees with AI skills (31%) as among the top challenges in AI adoption.

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO LEVERAGE AI

• Upskill and Reskill Workforce: Organizations should scale their upskilling and reskilling initiatives to ensure employees have the necessary skills to work alongside AI-based technologies.
  
  
• Redesign Jobs Based on Human Talent: Job redesign efforts should be based on the human talent organizations already have, leveraging AI to augment and enhance human capabilities.
  
  
• Remove Barriers: To overcome challenges such as high costs, privacy concerns, and lack of AI skills, organizations should choose appropriate implementations, establish AI governance policies, and invest in workforce development.
  
  
• Foster Optimism Across All Levels: Leaders must engage employees at all levels, from senior leadership to frontline workers, to foster optimism and buy-in for AI-based technologies.
  
  
• Ensure Ethical Practices: Establish an AI council to discuss how the tech will be used and to develop an evolving policy aligned with regulations.

The data draws on ManpowerGroup's 2024 Q3 Employment Outlook Survey of more than 40,000 employers in 42 countries.

Download "Building a People-First Strategy for AI-Powered Workforce Productivity" to access additional statistics and explore recommendations on how to implement AI for your organization.

ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity – as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2024 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 15th time – all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent.

For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

 

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SOURCE ManpowerGroup

FAQ

What percentage of employers expect to increase headcount due to AI?

55% of employers expect to increase headcount due to AI and machine learning over the next two years.

How many companies have adopted AI according to the ManpowerGroup report?

Nearly 48% of companies have adopted AI, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.

What are the main challenges to AI adoption mentioned in the ManpowerGroup report?

The main challenges include high costs (33%), privacy concerns (31%), and a lack of AI skills (31%).

How optimistic are employers about AI’s impact on business performance?

72% of employers anticipate that AI will enhance overall business performance.

What is the predicted impact of AI on employee training?

70% of employers expect AI to facilitate upskilling, reskilling, and employee training.