According to a study by Acas, more than a quarter (25%) of workers fear that AI will result in job losses.
YouGov, in a report for the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, asked UK workers what their main concerns were about AI.
A sixth (17%) of respondents were worried that AI would make mistakes, while another 15% were concerned with a lack in regulation. A larger proportion (26%) believed AI would endanger their job.
Also, there were doubts about data protection (11%) as well as the impact of the environment and energy usage (5%).
The findings were published in response to a Google Report that highlighted the slow adoption in the UK. It found that older people and those with lower-paying jobs are more reluctant to adopt AI.
Dan Ellis, interim chief executive of Acas, has said that the concerns about AI are not unfounded, and that the adoption of AI is a way for companies to “improve” their efficiency.
He said: “Some companies may want to adopt new technologies to reduce costs, boost productivity or simplify the work of their employees.
Our study shows that employees are most concerned about AI causing job loss.
“Bosses need to have clear policies regarding the use of AI in the workplace. They should also remember that this isn’t a perfect tool and engage employees in open discussions about its use.”
Acas recommends employers create clear policies on the use of AI at work and consult with employees and representatives about its introduction. It could be that there are expectations that certain roles will begin to use AI. This would mean that the terms and conditions of those roles may change.
The report advised that AI outputs should be checked for bias, accuracy and tone. It also recommended that the use of AI be always cited. To achieve the best results, staff needed to be trained. It is important to reassure employees that AI still relies on human interaction.
Acas also stressed that the data privacy policies of a company would apply to AI use, so it is wise to check approved AI platforms. The report warned employees to be cautious when entering sensitive information or personal data into public tools. The General Data Protection Regulations are important to know because the information entered can be used or made public by others.
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said: “Workers understandably worry about job loss due to AI and automation. Unmanaged disruption, however, is neither inevitable nor acceptable. When it comes to AI in the workplace, it’s important that workers and their unions be put at the forefront. This means full consultation, transparency and the workers reaping the benefits of AI.
No one knows better than workers how AI can enhance their work. AI can be a huge asset to the workplace if it’s developed in collaboration with workers.
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