A CONSIDERABLE number of employers in the north believe artificial intelligence (AI) should be embraced in the workplace, a new survey suggests.
Research by the recruitment specialist Hays should 55 per cent of employers in Northern Ireland are open to using AI.
But just 17 per cent of employers here are currently using AI tools such as ChatGPT. But 53 per cent said they do not have the right skills in their workforce to make the best use of AI tools and technology.
One-in-four employers (24 per cent) here said they are investing in training to upskill staff in AI tools.
Around one-in-three employers (35 per cent) are undecided on using AI, while 10 per cent think it should be feared.
Hays said 8,800 fed into its UK-wide study, with 378 respondents based in Northern Ireland.
The results for the north were broadly in line with attitudes in Britain.
Workers were slightly less enthused by AI than their employers, but around half (49 per cent) still think the technology should be part of the workplace.
At 16 per cent, a slightly higher proportion of employees are fearful of AI.
Just 15 per cent of workers who responded to the survey said they are already using an AI tool in their current role.
But that rises to 27 per cent for professionals in their 20s in Northern Ireland.
John Moore, who heads the Hays operation in the north, said the survey reflected largely positive attitudes to AI in the workplace.
He said AI has the potential to make businesses more efficient by “freeing up talented people to think creatively and concentrate on more interesting, strategically important tasks”.
“While uptake remains low as employers across all sectors get to grips with how AI could benefit their organisations, this will change,” he added.
“What’s concerning is the speed at which AI technology is progressing, as over half of employers say they don’t have the right skills within their workforce to make the best use of AI and technology.
“It’s a huge opportunity for professionals to upskill in getting to know how AI could affect their profession, and how they can utilise AI tools to advance their careers.”
