How prepared is the global workplace for artificial intelligence (AI) to advance in both the near and distant future? This is what a recent study published in Human Resource Development Review hopes to address as a sole researcher investigated preparation methods for countries worldwide regarding AI and their respective workforces. This study has the potential to help researchers, technologists, and the public better understand the pros and cons of integrating AI in their workplace and the steps that can be taken to mitigate the consequences.
For the study, the researcher analyzed data from 50 countries for evidence that steps are being taken to adequately prepare those countries for AI being incorporated into their workforce in some capacity. In the end, the researcher found that only 13 out of the 50 countries considered preparing their workforces for AI as a high priority, with most of those 13 countries being industrialized Europe. The researcher also identified that the United States only rated this as a medium priority. Examples of countries that considered this a high priority are Spain and Germany, who teach preschool children AI-based skills and encourages AI interest, respectively.
Credit: Kaiya Plagenhoef
“AI skills and competencies are very important,” said Dr. Lehong Shi, who is an assistant research scientist at the University of Geogia’s Mary Frances Early College of Education and sole author of the study. “If you want to be competitive in other areas, it’s very important to prepare employees to work with AI in the future.”
This study comes as AI continues to become entrenched in our everyday lives, including writing, job training, communications, advertising, and more. Therefore, studies like this can help highlight the importance of preparing workforces for increased AI incorporation.
How will AI impact the workplace in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Human Resource Development Review, EurekAlert!