According to a recent study commissioned by SS&C Blue Prism, most workers believe that AI’s impact on their role will be positive, improving their role by enabling them to complete tasks faster, save time and drive efficiencies (60%), and focus on much more complex tasks as a result (50%).
SS&C Blue Prism’s research explores the views of over 1,000 workers across the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Germany. The findings uncover one of AI’s most important application areas – data, with 88% of workers reporting they want data collection automated and presented with analytics and proposed actions.
Workers believe that data plays a critical role in business operations, with nearly three-quarters (74%) seeing its role as “extremely important”. Over half (57%) are already using some form of automation and of those that don’t, more than six in 10 (63%) would like to start using automation in their role.
AI’s learning capabilities mean that as automations and AI-bots process more information and do more tasks, they will be able to better support staff. This will likely reduce the two biggest frustrations the study found workers hold when it comes to automation: the need to still complete some tasks manually (77%) and the need to correct or approve tasks carried out by automation (50%).
The research indicates that the future of the workforce is one that utilizes AI and automation to maximize the impact of data. Already, over two-thirds (65%) of organizations have existing plans to incorporate aspects of AI and machine learning into their operations.
With many workers feeling overwhelmed by day-to-day tasks, AI is also seen by some as offering a lifeline. According to the study, workers are distracted by the inundation of emails and meetings they face daily, with 65% open to using a digital worker to help them manage their workload. Businesses’ movements towards automation are a response to a rapidly changing work environment and rising competitive pressures.
“We’re excited to see workers hold a positive outlook on automation and the future of the workforce. Headlines around the loss of jobs to automation overlook that automation will change the nature of their work rather than eliminate roles. This provides the opportunity to focus on more satisfying work without getting bogged down in the reams of administrative work contributing to overstretched and exhausted workers. The future of the workforce is well-rounded and balanced thanks to the support of digital workers, and it seems that workers are already recognizing that,” comments Colin Redbond, SVP and Managing Director of Product Management.
