Guaynabo, PR (September 23, 2024) – FlexJobs®, the leading site for remote and hybrid work since 2007, today announces the Future of Work Report, which found that more than one-third (34%) of respondents believe AI will lead to job displacement in the next five years. Additionally, the report revealed that compared to 2023, AI adoption was up 10% among workers using it for professional and work-related purposes.
FlexJobs developed the survey, which polled over 3,000 U.S. professionals between August 5 and 18, 2024, to gain better insight into workers’ experiences and perceived impact of AI in today’s changing world of work.
“From career searches and cover letter writing to on-the-job tasks, AI is transforming the way people approach their professional lives,” said Keith Spencer, Career Expert at FlexJobs. “When it comes to job hunting, those who have already adopted AI tools may gain a competitive advantage over other candidates, as many employers are actively seeking talent with AI experience.”
AI Adoption Up 10% Over 2023, Used Most By Millennial Workers
Nearly half (49%) of respondents said they do not currently use AI. But those who rely on tools like ChatGPT or other forms of AI, indicated they are primarily using it in their personal lives (22%).
Notably, an increasing number of respondents (21%) said that they rely on AI for professional and work-related purposes––up 10% compared to a 2023 survey. Additionally, almost 1 in 5 (19%) respondents said they are turning to AI to support job search efforts like resume and cover letter writing.
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Use of ChatGPT or other forms of AI |
||
|
Responses |
2023 |
2024 |
|
No, I do not use ChatGPT or other forms of AI |
59% |
49% |
|
Yes, in my personal life |
17% |
22% |
|
Yes, both at work and in my personal life |
11% |
21% |
|
Yes, for work-related tasks with my manager’s permission |
7% |
4% |
|
Yes, for work-related tasks, but my manager does not know |
6% |
2% |
Among surveyed generations, millennials were the most willing to adopt AI for personal and professional use (24%), when compared to Gen X (21%) and baby boomers (16%). The Future of Work Report also found:
- 42% of millennials, 48% of Gen X, and 60% boomers do not use ChatGPT or other forms of AI.
- 25% of millennials, 21% of Gen X, and 17% of boomers said they only use AI in their personal lives.
- Nearly a quarter of millennials (24%), 20% of Gen X, and 12% of boomers stated that they rely on AI to support job search efforts like resume and cover letter writing.
Worker Confidence in AI Knowledge & Skills is Low
Despite an increased adoption of AI among professionals, worker confidence in their knowledge and skills using AI is low. Only 17% of respondents rated their ability with AI as “great” (13%) or “excellent” (4%), with the majority of respondents falling somewhere between “good” (37%), “fair” (25%), or “poor” (21%).
By generation, millennials showed the most confidence in their abilities to use AI tools, with 43% rating their AI knowledge and skills as “good.” This rating was slightly lower for Gen X (37%) and boomers (32%). The AI knowledge and skill ratings by generation were:
- Poor: Millennials (16%), Gen X (22%), Boomers (26%)
- Fair: Millennials (22%), Gen X (26%), Boomers (27%)
- Good: Millennials (43%), Gen X (37%), Boomers (32%)
- Great: Millennials (15%), Gen X (11%), Boomers (11%)
- Excellent: Millennials (4%), Gen X (4%), Boomers (4%)
Increased Productivity, Job Security Cited as Top AI Impacts
Over half (52%) of respondents in FlexJobs’ survey expressed that they are not concerned about AI’s impact. However, 48% believe it is currently threatening (9%) or may threaten (39%) their job security in the future. More specifically, 34% said AI will lead to job displacement, and 9% said it will make their current job obsolete in the next five years.
Compared to 2023, where only 31% of respondents saw AI as a current or potential threat to their job security, the 17% increase highlights workers’ growing uncertainty around AI’s role in the future of work.
The concern is split fairly evenly among generations, with Gen X (49%) and millennials (48%) showing a slightly higher response than boomers (45%).
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AI & Job Security |
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|
Responses |
Millennials |
Gen X |
Boomers |
|
AI is currently threatening or may threaten my job security in the future |
48% |
49% |
45% |
|
I’m not concerned about AI’s impact on my job security |
52% |
51% |
55% |
At the same time, respondents cited key advantages of AI, such as increased productivity, enhanced skill sets, and access to new job opportunities. The top ways workers said AI will impact their career in the next five years were:
- 45% – Changing work processes
- 41% – Increasing productivity and efficiency
- 41% – Automating job-related tasks
- 31% – Enhancing skills
- 23% – Creating new job opportunities
- 15% – Significantly disrupting industries
For more information, please visit https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/
Methodology: Demographic breakdown of the 3,099 respondents: Gender: women (75%), men (22%), prefer not to identify (2%), prefer to self-describe (1%); Generation: Gen Z (4%), millennial/Gen Y (26%), Gen X (45%), baby boomer (24%), silent generation (less than 1%); Education: less than a high school degree (less than 1%), high school degree or equivalent (8%), some college but no degree (19%), associate’s degree (10%), bachelor’s degree (38%), graduate degree (24%); Career level: entry-level (12%), experienced (53%), manager (19%), senior-level manager (11%), executive (5%); 28 percent had children 18 or younger living at home with them. FlexJobs created the survey, which was promoted to general audiences and its subscribers/members primarily through social media and newsletters. FlexJobs used a multiple choice and multi-select question format via SurveyMonkey’s online platform. The survey ran from August 5-18, 2024.