NEW RESEARCH from Henley Business School has shown that workers from across the gamut of sectors are feeling “overwhelmed” by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
The World of Work Institute at Henley Business School commissioned a poll for more than 4,600 adults in nearly 30 major work sectors about their feelings towards the advance of AI.
Results showed that more than half (56%) of full-time professionals feel ‘optimistic’ about AI advancements–yet 61% admit they are overwhelmed by the pace of change.
This sentiment has been captured by the term “FOBO” (Feeling Optimistic but Overwhelmed), which Henley Business School’s research identifies as a “key challenge” facing the workforce.
They also showed, however, that there was a “growing openness” about the technology, with many reporting curiosity, even “cautious” optimism (26% about adapting to AI, despite not necessarily feeling prepared for its use.
It was tempered by worries of lack of structure and preparation; despite AI’s increasing use, nearly a quarter (24%) feel their employer isn’t offering enough support, and 49% say there are no formal guidelines for AI use in their workplace at all, adding to the uncertainty.
Of those polled, 60% reported that they’d be more inclined to use the technology if they were properly shown how to do so, with training gaps being particularly pronounced in fields where professionals cite a lack of industry-specific support as a barrier to adoption, such as law enforcement and transport.
This support is urgent, as 57% of workers believe they’ll become reliant on AI in their daily roles within the next five years, with 37% expecting it to significantly improve efficiency and productivity.
While 36% of those surveyed expressed worry about being replaced by AI, 61% said they are not concerned about job losses.
Instead of fear, many are now focusing on the practical benefits such as support with boring or repetitive tasks (33%), better data interpretation (30%), and smoother operations (27%).
Of all respondents, the most common uses of AI are for assisting with research (35%), data analysis (33%), and generating content (32%), as workers are engaging with AI for more than three and a half hours each week, on average.
Although 54% see it as a valuable addition to their workflow, many admit they’re not using it to its full potential.
Of those polled, 74% claim they’re open with their employer about their AI use, but this level of transparency varied by field.
However, one third of respondents expressed frustration over AI’s potential to make mistakes – underlining the importance of human oversight and thoughtful implementation.
Sectors that remained hesitant of artificial intelligence included retail, which showed the biggest proportion of worry, followed by teaching and education, public services and administration, property and construction, and leisure, sport and tourism.
Professor Keiichi Nakata, from The World of Work Institute at Henley Business School, which commissioned the research, said: “This wide-scale study offers a valuable snapshot of how AI is being adopted across UK industries–and where support is still lacking.
“What stands out is the clear desire from professionals to engage with AI, but many simply don’t feel equipped to do so.
“Businesses must act now to provide the right training and guidance–without in-house training, hands-on learning, and clear policies, we risk creating a workforce that’s willing to use AI but is not sure where to start.”
More information about Henley Business School, and a full copy of the report, is available via: henley.ac.uk
