The Future of Jobs: AI's Impact
The latest annual McKinsey Global Survey on the current state of AI confirms the explosive growth of generative AI (gen AI) tools. Less than a year after many of these tools debuted, one-third of our survey respondents say their organizations are using gen AI regularly in at least one business function. Amid recent advances, AI has risen from a topic relegated to tech employees to a focus of company leaders: nearly one-quarter of surveyed C-suite executives say they are personally using gen AI tools for work, and more than one-quarter of respondents from companies using AI say gen AI is already on their boards’ agendas. What’s more, 40 percent of respondents say their organizations will increase their investment in AI overall because of advances in gen AI. The findings show that these are still early days for managing gen AI–related risks, with less than half of respondents saying their organizations are mitigating even the risk they consider most relevant: inaccuracy.
The organizations that have already embedded AI capabilities have been the first to explore gen AI’s potential, and those seeing the most value from more traditional AI capabilities—a group we call AI high performers—are already outpacing others in their adoption of gen AI tools.
The expected business disruption from gen AI is significant, and respondents predict meaningful changes to their workforces. They anticipate workforce cuts in certain areas and large reskilling efforts to address shifting talent needs. Yet while the use of gen AI might spur the adoption of other AI tools, we see few meaningful increases in organizations’ adoption of these technologies. The percent of organizations adopting any AI tools has held steady since 2022, and adoption remains concentrated within a small number of business functions.
It’s early days still, but use of gen AI is already widespread
The findings from the survey show that, despite gen AI’s nascent public availability, experimentation with the tools is already relatively common, and respondents expect the new capabilities to transform their industries. Gen AI has captured interest across the business population: individuals across regions, industries, and seniority levels are using gen AI for work and outside of work. Seventy-nine percent of all respondents say they’ve had at least some exposure to gen AI, either for work or outside of work, and 22 percent say they are regularly using it in their own work. While reported use is quite similar across seniority levels, it is highest among respondents working in the technology sector and those in North America.
Organizations, too, are now commonly using gen AI. One-third of all respondents say their organizations are already regularly using generative AI in at least one function—meaning that 60 percent of organizations with reported AI adoption are using gen AI. What’s more, 40 percent of those reporting AI adoption at their organizations say their companies expect to invest more in AI overall thanks to generative AI, and 28 percent say generative AI use is already on their board’s agenda.
AI-Related Talent Needs Shift and the Develop with Ukraine Initiative
With the explosive growth of AI, the demand for AI-related skills is on the rise. But this demand isn't just limited to traditional AI technologies; it extends to the newer gen AI tools as well. As organizations seek to harness the power of AI, the need for data engineers, machine learning engineers, and AI data scientists is evident.
The "Develop with Ukraine" initiative comes into play here. Ukraine, a thriving hub of IT professionals, has become a key player in the global IT landscape. The initiative supports IT professionals and businesses in Ukraine, fostering growth and collaboration in the tech industry. By connecting with Ukraine's IT talent pool, companies can tap into a vast reservoir of skills and knowledge.
Conclusion
As AI continues to advance, organizations must adapt to these transformative technologies. The Develop with Ukraine initiative is a testament to Ukraine's resilience and growth in the IT sector, providing opportunities for collaboration and innovation. With gen AI's rapid development, businesses that embrace these technologies can unlock new opportunities and stay ahead in the competitive landscape.
The future of jobs is being shaped by AI, and Ukraine's IT industry is at the forefront of this digital transformation. The Develop with Ukraine initiative offers a promising avenue for companies to leverage Ukraine's IT expertise and contribute to the growth of this thriving industry.
AI is here to stay, and those who embrace it are poised for a future of innovation and growth.