Special report
Future of professionals
Professionals no longer need to speculate on the potential for AI to impact their work as they are now witnessing its effects firsthand. As we look to the future, one thing is clear: AI-empowered professionals and their companies will outpace those who resist this transformative era.
Impact of AI on the future of professionals
Of the respondents, 77% now believe AI will have a transformational or high impact in the next five years, with an average of 56% of all professionals’ work set to use new AI-powered technologies in five years.
Professionals predict that new AI-powered technologies will enable them to save an average of four hours per week in the next year, equating to an estimated 200 hours saved per professional.
In addition to freeing up time for higher-level work, professionals identified opportunities for AI to deliver value in new ways, like handling large volumes of data, improving response times, and reducing human error.
The professions divide regarding whether it is ethically acceptable for AI to provide professional advice and strategic recommendations — overall, 66% believe it would represent a step too far.
The future is bright. Most professionals foresee more innovation; more time spent on engaging, judgment-based, or expertise-driven work; and greater opportunity for continual skill building.
Special Report
Future of Professionals Report 2024
AI-powered technology and the forces shaping professional work
We at Thomson Reuters are committed to understanding how this changing landscape truly impacts the professionals we serve, the industry, and society at large — today and tomorrow.
We expanded this year’s research to survey 2,200 professionals and C-level corporate executives from over 50 countries to understand how they see the future unfolding. AI, tech, and automation continue to be the dominant driving forces, and professionals now have a more highly developed understanding of just how extensive and fast the impact will be in the years to come.
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