Employers believe top impacts of new technologies on their staff include increased employee productivity, more time for teams to focus on strategic areas and new career opportunities

Are workers worried they'll be displaced by robots in the future? Not for the most part, according to new research from global staffing firm Robert Half shows. Only 12 percent of workers are concerned that artificial intelligence (AI) and automation will have a negative impact on their job. About four in 10 (39 percent) believe new technologies will have a positive effect, and 49 percent foresee no change at all.

But futurists and staffing experts believe emerging technologies are profoundly shifting the workplace. According to more than 1,200 business leaders surveyed for the research, one of the top ways technological advancements will affect jobs is that they will require new skills from employees.

Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half said, "There's no question new technology will continue to transform jobs in all fields, from finance and accounting to legal and marketing — and professionals need to embrace and stay ahead of changes." 

He said, "Employees who are committed to learning about and preparing for advancements in the workplace will be best positioned for success."

In addition to requiring new skills (47 percent), employers said other top impacts of new technologies on their staff include increased employee productivity, more time for teams to focus on strategic areas and new career opportunities. 

Almost 2 in 5 employees (39 percent) said they see AI and automation having a positive impact on their job, mainly for increased productivity and ability to develop new skills and deliver better business solutions.

Upskilling for the Future

Business leaders expect to upgrade the technological skills of their workforce by training current staff (64 percent), hiring new staff (47 percent), working with external service providers (47 percent) and bringing in consultants who are subject matter experts (45 percent).

But 82 percent of managers think it will be challenging to get their staff up to speed on new technologies, and 80 percent anticipate it will be difficult to find professionals with the requisite expertise.

McDonald noted, "Technology disruptions create a level playing field for professionals and businesses, which can be exciting but also a little overwhelming. Employees can help future-proof their careers by learning new skills to make them more valuable. And employers can prepare for the future by identifying knowledge gaps and upskilling their workers or determining a staffing strategy to address their needs."