In a landmark revelation, Microsoft Corp. and LinkedIn have released the 2024 Work Trend Index, spotlighting the seismic shifts AI is instigating in workplaces worldwide. The comprehensive report, titled “AI at Work is Here. Now Comes the Hard Part,” underscores the profound impact of AI on business practices, leadership, and employment trends across 31 countries, including Thailand.

The Dawn of AI in Workplaces

The report is grounded in extensive research involving 31,000 participants, LinkedIn labor and hiring data, multiple Microsoft 365 productivity signals, and insights from Fortune 500 companies. It highlights that AI usage in workplaces has doubled within a year, heralding 2024 as a pivotal year for AI integration in business environments.

Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, emphasized the rapid adoption of generative AI tools in the workplace. “Generative AI tools have found widespread acceptance, with most employees using AI to manage their workloads. It is crucial for business leaders to harness this trend to enhance productivity and security through well-defined AI usage guidelines.”

Key Insights from the 2024 Work Trend Index

1. AI Adoption and Employee Empowerment

   • The study reveals that 92% of Thai knowledge workers now utilize AI at work, surpassing the global average of 75%. A notable 81% of these workers employ AI tools of their choice, giving rise to the “Bring Your Own AI” (BYOAI) trend. This trend poses a challenge for companies to integrate AI to maximize benefits while ensuring data security strategically.
   • Globally, 68% of knowledge workers struggle with high workloads, turning to AI for efficiency and creativity. In Thailand, 91% of business leaders recognize the necessity of AI for competitiveness, yet 64% express concerns over the lack of a cohesive AI strategy within their organizations.

2. The Emergence of AI Power Users

   • AI power users, distinguished by their intensive use of AI, save approximately 30 minutes daily, equating to 10 hours monthly. In Thailand, 86% of power users start and end their days with AI, although only 45% experiment with new AI applications, lower than the global average of 68%.
   • Support structures for AI power users in Thailand lag behind global standards, with only 28% receiving AI updates from their teams and 22% gaining additional AI skills training.

3. AI Skills: The New Workplace Currency

   • AI skills are increasingly critical, with 74% of Thai business leaders (66% globally) unwilling to hire candidates lacking these skills. A striking 90% of Thai leaders prefer AI-skilled employees over those with more experience.
   • The global talent shortage is most acute in cybersecurity, engineering, and creative design, with 55% of leaders concerned about filling roles.

AI Integration Strategies for Businesses

The report advises organizations to focus on problem-solving, establish clear AI policies, and foster skills development to integrate AI effectively. LinkedIn data indicates a 142-fold increase in members adding AI skills to their profiles, with job postings mentioning AI seeing a 17% rise in applications.

Innovations and Learning Opportunities

Microsoft’s Copilot for Microsoft 365 exemplifies advancements in AI, offering features like conversational AI, proactive recommendations, and enhanced prompt capabilities. LinkedIn complements this with over 600 AI courses, including 50 new free courses available until July 8, aimed at equipping professionals with essential AI skills.

For further insights, visit the Official Microsoft Blog, the 2024 Work Trend Index Report, and hear more from LinkedIn’s Chief Economist, Karin Kimbrough, on LinkedIn.

Written by: Supaporn Pholrach

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