Human resources among those expected to gain the most from new tech
AI-related tools and solutions are forecast to be integrated across most workplaces in the Asia-Pacific region by 2028, with HR departments predicted to be among the biggest gainers from the technology.
This is according to a new study from Amazon Web Services, which commissioned Access Partnership to carry out an AI skills survey among almost 15,000 employees and nearly 5,000 employers in the Asia-Pacific region.
It found that 92% of employers expect to use AI-related solutions and tools in their organisations by 2028.
"Application examples include the chatbots that customer service personnel can use to deliver timely support, or the use of machine learning algorithms and software to enhance financial analysis and projections," the report read.
Gainers from AI tools
Nearly all employers surveyed (95%) believe that AI will have some positive impact on their organisation, with the optimism strongest in Indonesia (99%) and India (99%).
By department, 91% of organisations in APAC believe that their IT departments will be the biggest beneficiary of AI.
HR departments are also expected to gain a lot from the technology, according to 81% of the respondents.
According to the report, task automation is the biggest benefit gained from AI, followed by improved workflow and outcomes.
Source: Accelerating AI Skills: Preparing the Asia-Pacific Workforce for Jobs of the Future
AI to boost pay in APAC
In addition to better outcomes, the report also found that employers would be offering salary premium for employees with AI skills.
Some APAC employers said they would pay a salary premium of 33% to employees in the HR department who will acquire AI skills.
Source: Accelerating AI Skills: Preparing the Asia-Pacific Workforce for Jobs of the Future
By country, the report found that employees in India could expect of at least 51% of salary bump thanks to AI.
Employees in Thailand and Malaysia can also expect a salary bump of 41% and 40%, respectively.
Source: Accelerating AI Skills: Preparing the Asia-Pacific Workforce for Jobs of the Future
AI talent problem
The salary boosts for employees acquiring AI skills come as 75% of employers said they are struggling to find the AI talent that they need.
The gap in the workforce can be observed the most in South Korea and Japan, where 88% and 82% of employers there cannot find qualified candidates.
The skills gap can be reduced through more awareness training programmes, according to the report.
But it also found that 95% of employers reported at least one barrier to accessing adequate AI skills training for their organisations. Among the barriers cited by employers include:
- Lack of knowledge of how to implement an AI workforce training programme (79%)
- Unsure of employees' AI skills needs (71%)
- Lack of time for workers to pursue AI training outside of core work responsibilities (70%)
Amazon said building an AI-ready workforce is "everyone's responsibility" in the APAC region.
"Overall, this important research on AI and the future of work reveals a looming AI skills gap across APAC that must be bridged so the region is well-positioned to unlock the full benefits of AI," Amazon said on its website.
"This calls for greater collaboration between governments, industries, and educators to help employers implement AI training programs and guide workers in matching their AI skillsets to the right roles to harness their newly acquired AI capabilities and make the most of this evolving technology."
