Press release from the pen of an AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in the modern working world. But how widespread is AI actually in German companies, and how do employees view this development? Are they rather worried or optimistic? These questions are examined in a new policy paper from the Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality" at the University of Konstanz. Inspired by the topic of the paper, this press release was written with the help of AI.
Since OpenAI launched the app ChatGPT in November 2022, which recorded more than 100 million users within the first two months, the use of AI technologies has spread rapidly. This development led to an intensive discussion about the future of the world of work, particularly with regard to the effects on productivity, employment and job opportunities.
A representative survey of 2,019 employees in Germany was conducted by Florian Kunze, professor of organizational behavior and Ann Sophie Lauterbach, a doctoral researcher in the cluster project "Digitalization, Automation and the Future of Work in Post-Industrial Welfare States". Particular attention was paid to differences in the perception of AI depending on the type of job, level of education and company size. According to the study, 24 percent of employees currently use AI applications in their work.
Overview of results:
- Perception of employees: The attitude of employees towards AI differs: Employees with a higher level of education and those in creative or knowledge-intensive professions tend to be more open to the technology, whereas employees with a lower level of education tend to be sceptical or concerned.
- Spread of AI in companies: The study shows that the integration of AI technologies in companies varies depending on the industry and company size. Larger companies use AI more than smaller companies.
- Employers' approach to AI: The study underlines that how companies shape the introduction of new technologies greatly influences the attitude towards AI. Companies that actively offer training and involve their employees in the change process can better counter fears and reservations.
Practical conclusions:
The results of the study suggest that companies should develop a proactive and inclusive AI strategy. This could help to avoid a polarization in the world of work in which the workforce is divided into those who benefit, those who are indifferent and those who are sceptical. Through targeted measures, such as further training opportunities and transparent communication, employers can promote a constructive approach to AI and encourage a positive attitude towards the technology.
Key facts
- Policy paper: Kunze, Florian & Lauterbach, Ann Sophie (2024): Wie Beschäftigte Künstliche Intelligenz am Arbeitsplatz wahrnehmen. Policy Paper Series No. 16. Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality", University of Konstanz
- About the authors:
- Florian Kunze, is professor of organizational behavior at the University of Konstanz, Principal Investigator at the Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality" as well as head of the "Future of Work Lab Konstanz".
- Ann Sophie Lauterbach is a doctoral researcher in the organizational behavior team and works in the project "Digitalization, Automation and the Future" of the Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality".
- The Cluster of Excellence The Politics of Inequality at the University of Konstanz studies the political causes and effects of inequality from an interdisciplinary perspective. The research focuses on some of the most pressing issues of our time: access to and distribution of (economic) resources, the global rise of populists, climate change and unfairly distributed educational opportunities.
- The "Future of Work Lab Konstanz" conducts research into future topics in the world of work, in particular increasing digitalization, flexible and mobile working models and diversity management.
- Transparency notice: The ChatGPT programme by OpenAI was used for this press release (5 August 2024). Minor content and stylistic corrections have been made.
