Employees optimistic AI can improve work flexibility - survey

 

Up to 63 percent of employees in Malaysia saw generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) would improve their way of working flexibly, with 70 percent either currently using or planning to use GenAI in the next 12 months, an Ernst & Young (EY) survey said.

EY said in a statement today that Malaysian employers also shared the same sentiment, with 84 percent expecting GenAI to enhance working flexibly and 96 percent either currently using or planning to use the technology within the next year.

According to the fourth series of the EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey, while GenAI is still being realised, there is growing momentum and generally a positive outlook on how the technology will impact new ways of working, it said.

The survey gathered 17,050 employees and 1,575 employers across 22 countries and 25 industry sectors globally with 250 employees and 50 employers from Malaysia.

EY Consulting Sdn Bhd Asean People Advisory Services leader and partner, Low Choy Huat, said it is encouraging to witness the increasing awareness among Malaysian employees and employers on the potential benefits of using GenAI in the workplace.

“While there is an intention among employers to incorporate GenAI in the near future, there is a substantial gap in upskilling and reskilling the workforce in the technology.

“It is imperative to accelerate the training of essential skills to build GenAI capabilities while fostering the ethical and responsible use of it in the workforce,” he said.

Meanwhile, the survey finds over a third (39 percent) of employees in Malaysia are likely to quit their jobs in the next 12 months, driven by better overall well-being programmes, greater flexibility for remote work, and more competitive salary packages elsewhere.

Low said that despite the ongoing economic challenges, over a third of Malaysian workers are actively considering transitions to workplaces that offer enhanced well-being initiatives aligning with their post-pandemic aspirations and adjusting to the rising cost of living.

“To safeguard the essential workforce, employers must proactively address the evolving expectations and priorities of their workforce to not only attract and retain top talent but also foster a resilient workforce in the face of ongoing economic challenges,” he said.

Additionally, the survey found about half (52 percent) of Malaysian employers are supportive of their employees adopting a two-to-three-day remote work arrangement, providing them the flexibility to work from home on some days and in the office on other days.

Low considers Malaysian employers embracing a hybrid work approach as a positive trend in the landscape of post-pandemic work.

“Despite the increased prevalence of remote work, there remains a strong demand for in-person interactions to foster teamwork, professional relationships, and social bonds.

“Recognising this, employers should aim to create balanced and fulfilling work environments that accommodate both remote flexibility and essential in-office connections,” he said.

- Bernama