70% of Workers Will Need Reskilling in Our New GenAI World. Will They Get It?
Workers resistant to reskilling have a bullseye on their back.
GenAI is changing the workplace, and what this BCG survey makes clear is that 70% of workers expect to require upskilling when GenAI hits.
What BCG didn’t ask, but should have, is how many of these 70% will actually receive that upskilling from their employer.
Just because employees expect upskilling doesn’t mean that they’ll get it. I know that’s cynical, but this will be a reality for many.
Interestingly, the biggest adopters of GenAI are in emerging markets! This is now the third survey to make that observation, and it is shocking.
Emerging markets employees see GenAI as a pathway to greater job success and are big GenAI users. Emerging market nations take nine of the top 10 spots!
👉TAKEAWAYS
🔹 Workers have embraced the GenAI revolution. Nearly 40% use GenAI tools regularly, and many of them do so for important tasks at work—particularly in emerging economies, where workers seem to be adopting the new technology especially quickly.
🔹 When it comes to GenAI’s impact on jobs, talent is aware but unafraid. Although only 5% think that GenAI will replace their jobs, 70% anticipate that they will need to reskill. 21% will require significant reskilling, 49% will require some. Most say that they will need help to understand what skills to build.
🔹 Employers must anticipate the impact of technology on their workforce and offer robust reskilling programs to help employees stay competitive. At the same time, they should cultivate a culture based on values.
👊STRAIGHT TALK👊
We are entering new territory, and it’s not clear whether employees or employers will have the upper hand as GenAI becomes the norm.
What is clear is that there will be losers, and while the report doesn’t mention this in such certain terms, it makes it clear who won’t make it!
Employees, young or old, but most likely older, who have difficulty reskilling are in big trouble and have a bullseye painted on their backs.
GenAI will decimate workers who resist or have difficulty being reskilled because there isn’t any plan B for them. In our new GenAI world, it’s up or out.
So whether young or old, if you’re in the workplace today, it would be wise to start learning about GenAI and upskilling yourself now.
I’m not trying to be cynical, but it is unknown how responsive companies will be to upskilling workers rather than finding new ones.
One recent survey showed that employers favored hiring new GenAI-capable workers compared to working with existing staff!
That’s why you need to take upskilling into your own hands and not wait!
Are you and your job GenAI resistant?
PS
My job as a writer is absolutely at risk!
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