Those who are just starting their professional life, or the so called "Generation AI", will have to work sooner or later together with artificial intelligence. For that to happen, companies now need to talk to their young employees about AI.
When people write about AI, it is either with admiration for what is technologically possible, or from a fearful perspective. Help, artificial intelligence will take over our work in the medium and long term!
The majority of the experts assume that we will only have to deal with really sophisticated artificial intelligence after the 2030s. In other words, an AI that has more and more human-like abilities and appears as a real “employee” in the company, so to speak. However, this means that the people who will work together with such a sophisticated artificial intelligence are the ones who are now starting their first job or are just finishing their studies. This raises the question of how this “generation of AI”, i.e. the people who have their entire professional life ahead of them, looks at artificial intelligence.
Young people have positive and realistic attitudes towards AI. A study by Kaspersky performed in Germany included young proffessionals between the ages of 16 and 30. They were asked about their attitudes towards artificial intelligence. The Kaspersky study shows that the basic attitude of the AI generation is as positive as it is realistic. The majority have a positive view of the support provided by artificial intelligence in a professional context. A third can even imagine having an intelligent machine as their supervisor. And the majority believes that AI will be an integral part of everyday work by latest 2040.
When asked how work will change through the use of artificial intelligence, the AI generation paints a very differentiated picture: They see great positive potential, for example when more space is created for creativity and interpersonal communication - or when monotonous routine activities are eliminated. At the same time, however, they also express concern that the pressure to perform could increase. The AI generation seems to have understood: Artificial intelligence does not automatically make working conditions better. It's about the right design!
Generation AI also paints a realistic picture with regards to its own competencies: a third of those surveyed are confident that they have the competencies they need for everyday work with artificial intelligence, while a third are worried that they do not have the appropriate skills . But which competencies are these exactly?
It is the specifically human talents that intelligent systems will not have at their disposal for the foreseeable future. Above all, it is about critical thinking, complex problem solving and self-management. In the Kaspersky study, the AI generation was asked how they rate these abilities in themselves. The result: For each of these skills, a quarter of those surveyed saw a lot of catching up to do. A clear mandate to our education system!
Companies currently like to talk about artificial intelligence so that they appear modern and can promote their products. All kinds of them: from intelligent assistants in the automotive industry to intelligent household appliances. The very same companies should have a conversation about artificial intelligence with the generation that has just started in the company with the same commitment.
Only if the people, who are supposed to work with artificial intelligence, get really involved with the technology companies would benefit from AI and become more efficient, innovative and successful. This will be due to the fact that their employees will have the necessary skills to develop, work with it and trust the way AI was built around the company's values.
Young employees are ready to get fully involved in a working environment characterised by artificial intelligence. However, only if they feel they are being honestly informed about the use of intelligent systems and are involved in the question of how artificial intelligence is used. Companies should start an honest dialogue with the AI generation, as early in the career as possible. The main topic being: How they imagine the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence? How they want to develop the skills of their employees? Only then companies will be able to build rapport and get this generation’s commitment. Whether this will be the reality in 2030, 2040 or not even in 2050 only the future will show.
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