Some three quarters of German consumers state that they are ‘more productive’ as a result of using artificial intelligence tools in their workplaces, saving an average of 64 minutes per day, a new study by Adecco Group has found.
Adecco Group’s Global Workforce of the Future survey questioned 35,000 employees worldwide, more than 2,000 of which were in Germany, and found that among employees that used AI, the majority were creating greater value for their businesses as a result of the time saved.
In Germany, for example, close to a third (31%) said that they were using this gained time for more creative work, a similar percentage (32%) said that it was to ensure ‘more careful and higher quality’ work, while 28% said that they were using this time to work more strategically.
Some 36% of German respondents said that they have completed training on the use of AI in the workplace, with the majority of this training focusing on the ethical or trustworthy use of AI.
The effects of AI
“In the fifth edition of the study, we are looking in detail at the effects of AI on a changing working world,” commented Peter Blersch, country president, Adecco Group Germany
“The large-scale study shows a real increase in productivity through the use of AI, which contributes to higher added value. I advise companies to support their employees on this path through active training and career opportunities, and thus to accompany the entire workforce on the path towards the future.”
Globally, workers in energy, utilities and environmental technology reported the highest time savings from using AI, at 75 minutes per day, while the lowest – in aerospace and defence – was 52 minutes per day. Workers in the technology sector saved an average of 66 minutes per day, those in the financial sector 57 minutes and those in manufacturing 62 minutes per day.
Future-fit employees
In addition to AI’s impact, the study explores the concept of ‘future-fit’ employees—those adaptable to new technology and skilled across multiple domains.
Germany has a slightly higher rate of future-fit employees (13%) than the global average (11%), placing it among the top ten countries globally in this category. According to the study, nurturing this adaptable workforce will be essential for developing future leaders and advancing in an AI-integrated work environment.
The effect of the disruptive effects of AI are also explored in the study, with 13% of employees in Germany stating that they have lost their jobs as a result of AI.
It found that the view of the disruptive effects of AI becomes more balanced when other aspects are considered., however. For example, 59% (Germany) and 51% (globally) of employees agree that AI skills expand their career opportunities, and 57% (or 46%) believe that AI offers them more opportunities to learn new skills and advance professionally. Read more here.
