Nearly One-Third Of Workers Say AI Is Boosting Their Skills But Still Fear Losing Their Jobs To It

Artificial intelligence is making waves at work. Some U.S. workers are warming up to it. Others? Still a bit scared.

A new survey from KPMG U.S. found that half of the workers think automation – including AI – has helped their careers. About 47% even believe it'll bring fresh job opportunities. But the flip side? Around 28% are worried it might steal their jobs.

“As adoption increases, people are getting more comfortable with the impact that’s going to have on their careers,” John Doel, a principal in KPMG’s human capital advisory practice, told Business Insider.

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AI tools are becoming the norm. Seven in 10 workers said they use automation tools weekly and one in three uses them daily. It's clear: AI isn't just for the tech-savvy anymore. It's mainstream.

Skills Are The Key To Staying Ahead

If AI creeps into the workplace, training might be the shield workers need. According to the survey, eight in 10 respondents said building skills is crucial for their careers. One in four workers said access to learning opportunities kept them in their current roles.

Doel thinks employers should take note. "It's the No. 1 thing they could do to retain workers," he said.

But even with training, some workers are still looking to leave. In the past year, 42% said they considered quitting. Millennials led the charge, with many citing work-life balance, low pay and feeling disrespected as top reasons.

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Flexibility: The New Workplace Must-Have

Since the pandemic, flexibility has become nonnegotiable. Seven in 10 workers said remote work helped balance job demands with caretaking responsibilities. While some big companies like Amazon and Goldman Sachs are pushing people back to the office, employees aren't sold on a full return.

Still, office life has its perks. Forty-seven percent said they're more productive in the office and 62% felt the social aspect builds a better corporate culture.

“We’ve kind of reached a homeostasis,” Doel said. The battle over remote work? It might finally be calming down.

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AI And The Four-Day Week

Generative AI is giving workers hope for even more flexibility. Two-thirds of respondents believe a four-day, 32-hour workweek could match the productivity of a traditional 40-hour week and nearly half think AI tools could make it a reality.

"They're looking at GenAI as an enabler of a more flexible work environment," Doel said.

AI might still feel like a threat to some, but it's becoming an ally for many. Whether boosting skills or reshaping workweeks, this tech is here to stay. The key is figuring out how to use it without letting it use you.

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