Artificial intelligence is poised to redefine workflows and unlock new opportunities for growth, suggests a report from one of Canada’s biggest names.
Thomson Reuters this week released their annual “Future of Professionals” report, which shows optimism among the laptop class in Canada.
“Professionals no longer need to speculate on the potential for AI to impact their work,” posits Steve Hacker, chief executive of Thomson Reuters, “as they are now witnessing its effects firsthand.”
Respondents predicted that AI carries the potential to save workers up to 12 hours per week within the next five years. This timesaving potential represents a productivity boost equivalent to adding an extra colleague for every 10 team members on staff, according to TR, which last year announced a $100 million annual investment into AI.
“With professionals predicting that AI will save them up to 200 hours in the next year, the potential economic impact is significant,” says Hasker.
Overall, 77% of professionals now predict AI will have a high or transformational impact on their work over the next five years, according to the survey of more than 2,000 professionals, up 10% year-over-year. A similar percentage anticipate an increase in innovation at their company, the report found.
Overall, the Future of Professionals report highlights an “overwhelming sense of enthusiasm” for AI among knowledge workers.
“As we look to the future, one thing is clear,” says Hasker. “AI-empowered professionals and their companies will outpace those who resist this transformative era.”
A majority of workers anticipate improved work-life balance through the adoption of AI, among other benefits, though more than one-third have yet to apply AI technology in their work.
Among the reasons cited by those still sitting on the sidelines, 35% remain unsure what type of work the technology can be used for while 28% are unsure how to access it. Other concerns include the accuracy of AI outputs and the security of data.
“It is important to acknowledge there is still a healthy amount of reticence among professionals to fully adopt AI,” Hacker states. “These concerns aren’t trivial, and they warrant attention.”
Broadly speaking, most professionals do consider AI to be a “force for good”—Hasker, however, views the technology as more inherently neutral. Its potential, including to be a force for good, lies in the hands of creators and users, he believes.
“As we navigate this change,” the CEO says, “we must remember the future of AI is ours to shape.”
