Corporate leaders more optimistic about AI than front-line employees: global survey

A new survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group reveals that optimism has increased about AI among employees compared to five years ago when generative AI was still in the lab.

With the rise of ChatGPT and other forms of generative artificial intelligence, a new survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows that front-line employees, managers, and leaders across 18 countries are more optimistic than concerned about AI.

According to the survey, leaders are much more optimistic (62 per cent) than frontline employees (42 per cent) about AI while 62 per cent of regular users and 36 per cent of non-users feel the same way.

Although optimism has increased about AI among employees compared to five years ago when generative AI was still in the lab, however, some recognize the technology’s transformative potential to threaten work.

For instance, more than one-third of 12,800 survey respondents believe that their job will be eliminated within the next ten years, according to the survey.

The survey found that 44 per cent of leaders have received training to sharpen their skills and stay relevant while the proportion is only 14 per cent for front-line employees who said they received the same training.

In order to fill the gap, the survey suggests that leaders should encourage frontline employees to use AI responsibly and train in the skills that the new era will require.

BCG data indicates that the usage of AI within companies across the globe has increased from 22 per cent in 2018 to 50 per cent in 2023.