Employees are wary of their bosses embracing artificial intelligence (AI). A recent report from the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank that monitors public opinion, surveyed 11,004 US adults on their thoughts about the increasingly common technology. The report found that most of the respondents expected AI to affect hiring, firing and evaluations in the workplace, while 81% expressed concerns over workplace surveillance technologies that use AI.
The Pew survey reflects the general uncertainty of AI’s potential impact on jobholders. While AI has the potential to make hiring more fair, its applications in the workplace have sometimes resulted in automated discrimination. 47% of people expressed confidence in AI’s ability to outperform humans in the hiring process, as opposed to the 41% who expressed unease with the use of AI.
The Pew Research Center is a highly respected non-partisan think tank that was established in 1994. They focus on research data, applying it mainly to the United States but with a global perspective too. They design, analyze and report on public opinion surveys from over 100 countries, turning them into effective elements for decision-making. Their research focuses on key trends in public opinion, lifestyle and politics.
ChatGPT, the large language model released in late November that uses AI technology, has increased interest in AI. As the technology advances, it will likely play an even larger role in the workplace, requiring employers to properly understand its implications. Companies need to be mindful of the potential for bias and discrimination with AI, and understand the trust and fears of their employees as such technologies become more widespread.
