AI learning gap fuels investor concerns
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Working professionals are overwhelmed by AI and a majority say learning AI skills is like having another job, according to a new LinkedIn report.
Why it matters: Few have figured out how to use the tools to work smarter and faster, which is causing investors to get antsy.
By the numbers: In a July survey of more than 2,000 U.S. workers, LinkedIn found that employees are increasingly expected to know how to use AI.
- However, 47% say they're not using AI to its fullest capability, and 30% say they rarely or never use AI.
- On the flip side, 31% have exaggerated or lied about their AI skills at work.
Zoom in: Over one-third of U.S. execs say they plan to incorporate employees' AI skills into performance reviews or hiring criteria in the year ahead, per the report.
- However, many workers say they lack the training, resources and time to master and incorporate this technology into their work.
- One-third feel embarrassed by how little they understand AI and 39% feel nervous to talk about AI in professional settings because they're worried they'll look uninformed.
The big picture: Slow adoption is impacting companies' returns on investment, according to a recent MIT study.
- 95% of organizations found zero return on investment despite spending $30 billion to $40 billion on GenAI.
- Notably, companies that purchased enterprise AI tools were far more successful than those that built internal pilots, according to the study.
Between the lines: AI talk has seen a massive uptick in corporate earnings transcripts as executives try to signal to investors they are being efficient and navigating this workforce shift.
- Mentions of terms like "agentic AI," "AI workforce," "digital labor" and "AI agents" during earnings calls increased 779%, according to recent AlphaSense data.
What to watch: The slow adoption rates are also rattling Wall Street, which is currently being propped up by Big Tech.
- Activist investors are also pouncing too. This week, Fivespan Partners took a stake in the New York Times, urging the media company to further embrace AI in support of its subscription business.
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