New research from Gong, the revenue intelligence leader, shows that the majority of UK business students (78%) feel equipped to enter an AI-driven world, while 45% say they’re motivated about the role AI will play in their work.

The findings will be a relief to British businesses looking to the next generation for AI-literacy, as nearly 90% are already implementing the technology and the majority (82%) want to implement more AI technology into their day-to-day workflow in the future.

AI in the workplace has caused excitement as well as anxiety in offices across the UK, but is seems the next generation of workers have accepted its inevitable impact, as 69% agree that AI is here for good and therefore it’s important for their career that they embrace it.

This optimism around working in an AI-driven environment is underpinned by an air of confidence, as 95% of students surveyed say they already have an understanding of AI, and the role it plays in business.

Ben Robinson, final year philosophy, politics, and economics student at the University of Exeter said, “AI is undoubtedly reshaping the world of work, and as I near the end of my studies and look to my career beyond university, its impact is definitely something I’ve considered. This technology holds huge potential to support workers, particularly in the field of sales and related client facing roles. As long as individuals are equipped with the correct skills to use AI as a beneficial tool within their work, I believe its adoption should be celebrated, and not feared.

“Many entry-level roles require the completion of menial, day-to-day tasks that AI tools can perform quickly and effectively. This would allow more time to dedicate to enhancing key, people-centric skills that are crucial to the success of sales. AI has not yet mastered the human element of the role and therefore our involvement is, and continues to be vital.”

Anna Carway, a recent University graduate and sales development representative at Gong said: “AI is nothing to be scared of – it’s not some crazy phenomenon, it just makes my life easier and more efficient. It does the things you don’t even think about, like automating processes and reducing doubling up on tasks. It’s not the be-all-and-end-all, but if you already have a good work ethic and you fully integrate it into your ways of working, it can make you twice as successful.”

But despite this confidence and optimism, students remain wary about the future of AI.

While they are confident in their ability to embrace AI, business students also share a sense of trepidation about it, as 65% are concerned that their job after University could be replaced by AI in the next ten years.

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Job security remains an important decision for students as they begin to pick their career pathways, and AI plays a role in this decision. Nearly three quarters (71%) of students gravitate towards the jobs or industries that are least likely to be replaced by AI in the future when considering their career choices.

Almost a third (31%) of business students plan to pursue a career in sales and the findings suggest that they are already aware of how AI can help them.

For example, 62% know that AI can understand all the interactions between a sales rep and a prospect and accurately predict whether that prospect will buy, while 64% know that AI can write follow-up emails to send after a call.

Luke Mulvaney, senior sales development representative at Gong said: “AI helps me as a salesperson by making me increasingly more productive. I was familiar with AI prior to working with it, but nothing prepares you for how it’s going to change your ways of working until it’s part of your every day. It reminds me about action items, it takes notes, and without a doubt, I would be less successful without it. I now can’t imagine not having AI tools to complement my skills and enhance my productivity every day.”