Early in the era of generative AI, current professionals in Canada have mixed feelings about the rapidly spreading technology.
Is it the Next Big Thing? Or just another buzzword, destined to go the way of “digital” or “mobile” or “social”?
Is AI going to save humanity—or doom us all? No one quite yet knows, though everyone has an opinion.
A recent Angus Reid survey conducted on behalf of Salesforce found that talent in Canada believes AI will improve business efficiency and save time at work—but also has valid concerns around data security and privacy as well as the quality of the tech.
This sentiment of division is echoed by a global LinkedIn survey, which asked nearly 30,000 professionals around the globe how they felt about the emerging AI revolution.
LinkedIn data shows that, while a vast majority of tech talent are excited to leverage AI, more than half still want to be more familiarized with the tech before fully embracing it.
Currently, about half of global pros are using AI in some capacity, though Canada is lagging in that regard, a Dais report recently found.
Many in Canada believe AI has the potential to advance their careers, but a number worry that their employer is not on top of skills training and adoption of the evolving tech. As a result, “AI anxiety” has some workers concerned that other talent or companies will push ahead, leaving others behind in the dust, notes LinkedIn.
But is specific AI skill the only essential tool in the kit? Perhaps not.
LinkedIn’s recent Future of Work: AI at Work report found that 92% of North American executives believe soft skills will be more important than ever as AI takes over. This indicates some roles may shift over time.
For example, technical roles may demand more “people skills,” while non-technical positions will demand a baseline threshold of AI-related skills, the report suggests. It is one of many ways experts expect AI to “level the playing field” for talent and companies in the future.
To address growing skills across generations, tech titans like LinkedIn and Salesforce offer a range of remote learning courses designed to boost the confidence of professionals using AI.
