A recent survey reveals that managers are increasingly concerned about the widespread use of powerful generative artificial intelligence tools like OpenAI ChatGPT in the workplace, fearing it may have a negative impact on their salary levels.
To delve deeper into managers' attitudes towards AI technology, the AI startup Beautiful.ai recently surveyed 3,000 American managerial employees. The results show that 48% of managers believe AI tools will pose a threat to their compensation, predicting this trend will further exacerbate the overall wage decline in the U.S. by 2024.
This concern is not unfounded, partly stemming from the high regard people have for AI capabilities. Up to 64% of respondents believe that the output and productivity of AI are "comparable" to, or even "possibly better" than, the work quality produced by human managers.
In fact, AI technology is becoming increasingly powerful and diverse. For instance, since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has been able to generate videos, create marketing materials, and even write course plans. In early March, the startup Cognition introduced Devin, touted as the "first AI software engineer," capable of fixing bugs and training other AI models.
Furthermore, executives also seem uneasy about these tools potentially leading to reduced employee salaries. The survey by Beautiful.ai indicates that 62% of interviewed executives believe their employees think AI will eventually cause them to lose their jobs. Additionally, 45% of executives think this technology will prompt a decrease in the overall workforce's compensation.
The survey also points out, "Undoubtedly, the introduction of AI tools has prompted employees to start questioning their value to the company."
More and more studies reveal a common sentiment: employees generally believe AI technology will impact their income. In a survey released by the market research software platform Pollfish in May last year, nearly 79% of American employees expressed concerns about the adoption of AI technology, including its potential to lower their salary levels.
Moreover, this technology seems to be posing a threat to certain job positions already. According to data from the layoff tracking agency Layoffs.fyi, as of April 28, over 70,000 employees in the tech industry have been laid off in 2024. Analysts suggest this phenomenon may be closely tied to increased investments in AI. For example, a CEO of an e-commerce company revealed replacing 90% of support staff with AI chatbots. A freelance writer complained that her clients are being taken over by AI like ChatGPT.
However, AI technology doesn't solely bring negative impacts; it could also be a catalyst for increasing salaries. A study conducted by the tech consultancy Access Partnership in December last year found that employers are willing to offer at least a 30% salary increase for employees with AI skills. To attract such talent, large companies are even offering salaries well into six figures. Additionally, generative AI has spawned entirely new professions, such as ChatGPT course guides and content editors.
While the complete transformation AI will bring to the workplace remains uncertain, data from Beautiful.ai shows that 64% of managers have already started incorporating AI technology into their daily or weekly employee management since early 2024.
The survey concludes, "Businesses can expect to see more potential from AI in the future. The question now is not whether to adopt this technology in the workplace, but when and how to effectively integrate it into daily operations."
