According to a recent survey conducted by the staffing provider Adecco Group, based on a survey of senior executives from 2,000 large companies worldwide, 41% foresee a reduction in their workforces due to advancements in AI technology. 

This trend is driven by the emergence of generative AI, capable of producing text, photos, and videos in response to open-ended prompts, sparking both optimism for eliminating repetitive tasks and concerns over job obsolescence.

However, AI can also lead to the creation of new jobs, and as AI continues to reshape industries, the pressure for businesses to adapt and embrace its potential becomes increasingly evident. Adecco’s survey serves as a call to action for organisations to proactively navigate the landscape and use the transformative power of AI to drive sustainable growth and innovation.

Some tech corporations such as Google and Microsoft have recently initiated waves of layoffs as they pivot their focus towards AI-driven systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s chatbot Gemini. These developments underscore the tangible impact AI is having on employment structures across industries.

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While acknowledging AI’s potential, the survey also highlights a significant gap in its adoption among businesses. Despite recognising AI as a game-changer, the majority of senior executives admit to insufficient progress in integrating the technology into their operations.

“Almost all jobs are going to be impacted by AI one way or another,” said Denis Machuel, CEO of Adecco, speaking with Reuters. “AI can be a job killer and it can also be a job creator.” 

The survey looked at businesses across multiple sectors in key global economies, including the US, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.