By Jeff Weber, Executive Director, Industry Research and Insights, Robert HalfPeople speculated for a long time about when and how AI would dramatically shift how businesses operate — and how work itself is performed. With the explosive growth of generative AI seen since the 2022 launch of ChatGPT, we know that when is essentially now.As for how, the picture only becomes clearer with each passing day about the role AI can play as a helper, collaborator and coworker in the modern workforce. Also clear is how crutical it is for employers to help workers prepare for and adapt to working with AI, so they can make the most of this transformative technology.Before we look at a few ways to do that, let’s dig a bit deeper into what generative AI is and how it is helping to shape the future of work.
Just to level set, here is a quick definition of generative AI.Generative AI, also known as gen AI, refers to AI systems that create new content — such as text, images, music, or code — based on the data they have been trained on.Unlike traditional AI, which focuses on analyzing and processing existing data, generative AI produces outputs that mimic human creativity. It uses models like GPT (for text) or GANs (for images) to generate content.The benefits of using generative AI in the workplace include automating time-consuming or routine tasks, which helps increase workforce performance and productivity and frees employees to engage in more strategic thinking and problem solving.
As I was writing this post, I decided to ask ChatGPT to provide a quick definition of itself. Here’s the answer it delivered in a matter of seconds:“I’ve been trained on a wide range of text from the internet, books, articles, and more. My purpose is to assist users in generating human-like text, answering questions, providing explanations, offering creative writing help, and engaging in conversations on a variety of topics. I don’t possess consciousness, emotions, or personal experiences, but I use patterns in the data I’ve been trained on to generate text based on the prompts and questions I receive. Is there something specific you’d like to know or discuss?"Consider that last line. ChatGPT didn’t just respond to my request for information. It sought to engage me with a follow-up question. That simple gesture, albeit an algorithmic-inspired “decision,” drives home why generative AI tools have been embraced by so many people, so fast.These tools are designed to interact with us, and they can’t be the helper they’re meant to be without our input. Generative AI is approachable AI, with a clear purpose that anyone can understand.While AI, on the whole, is still a nebulous concept for many people to grasp, generative AI has quickly become something familiar — similar to the conversational AI we interact with regularly via chatbots, virtual assistants and apps. Gen AI is a crucial gateway to an AI-enabled future for many businesses.
AI has already created many new job roles related to the technology’s development, implementation, integration and maintenance. Employment of AI and machine learning specialists top the list of fastest-growing jobs through 2027, according to the World Economic Forum. Natural language processing engineers, AI ethicists, AI security specialists, and AI consultants are just a few other examples of roles that are in demand right now to help businesses develop, refine and manage AI tools and systems.But that talent is not easy to find. Research conducted for the Robert Half e-book, Building Future-Forward Tech Teams, found that AI, machine learning and automation initiatives are among the top priorities for technology leaders this year. And when asked where tech skills gaps are most evident in their organizations, technology leaders at companies of all sizes cited AI and machine learning as the top area.Our e-book also notes that the demand for related skills, like data science, are in high demand and short supply as well. The demand for these skills extends beyond tech and IT teams, too. Professionals with AI-related skill sets are needed in many areas of the business, from the finance function to the marketing and creative department.These trends underscore why now is such a critical time for businesses across industries to accelerate workforce education and AI readiness, formulate AI strategies and clear policies, understand legal and compliance requirements related to the use of AI, and identify viable use cases for implementing AI capabilities beyond support for everyday productivity and collaboration.
Stepping up AI training for employees will help them gain vital skills and the confidence to collaborate with this emerging technology. That will lay the groundwork for a smoother shift to gen AI and other AI-powered tools in the workplace. It will also help workers adopt an innovation mindset around AI because they will better understand its potential — and feel more empowered to experiment with it.
As a starting point for advancing AI skills in your workforce, look to external partners that can provide relevant knowledge and resources. Microsoft, as an example, maintains an AI learning and community hub, which includes guidance on how to develop relevant AI skills for the modern workplace.*I also recommend taking a look at Building Future-Forward Tech Teams from Robert Half, which offers insight into:What skills professionals may need to work effectively with AI, from programming to big data technologiesHow to create a continuous cycle of learning in your organization that helps to fuel innovationThe value of embracing a scalable talent model to stay agile and address skills gaps in AI and other areasWorking with a resource like Protiviti, a mangement consulting firm and Robert Half subsidiary, can help your business determine what AI skills you may need, and where, and identify opportunities to upskill your current labor force to work with AI. And when your business needs to hire professionals with AI skills for contract, temporary or full-time roles, Robert Half can assist in your search.Robert Half also collaborates with Protiviti to provide technology consulting solutions that can help businesses transform digitally so they can make the most of automation, AI and other technology advancements.
Learn more about the technical and nontechnical skills that can help your employees work effectively with AI and generative AI tools, and how you can help them develop those abilities, in Building Future-Forward Tech Teams from Robert Half.
Jeff Weber is the executive director, industry research and insights, at Robert Half. His work, which includes overseeing our data and analysis programs, helps to inform the strategies Robert Half uses to develop, refine and deliver talent solutions that meet the needs of businesses around the globe.Follow Jeff Weber on LinkedIn.*Robert Half and Protiviti are members of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.
