IT professionals see solution to workforce shortage in Intelligent Automation
Amsterdam - A quarter of IT professionals expect Artificial Intelligence (AI) to cause jobs to disappear in the IT sector. Among them, 19% fear this due to the arrival of Intelligent Automation. This is according to the research executed by NTT DATA among 500 IT professionals. Yet, people see both technologies as solutions to current staff shortages. In fact, almost one-third of IT professionals (28%) say that Intelligent Automation will help their organizations cope better with these shortages. AI (20%) can also contribute to this issue.
Enduringly popular or a one-day wonder?
Past experiences show that not all innovative technologies are perennially popular. Currently, according to IT professionals, the biggest hope in the business field is in AI (30%). Following it, Intelligent Automation (18%) is seen as the most promising technology after. On the contrary, XR (consisting of VR and AR) is seen as the least promising (22%) in the business field.
Despite the positive view of AI in terms of its opportunities, not much money is being spent on it yet. Over a third of organizations (37%) spend less than ten percent of the IT budget on AI, according to their professionals. Only a small group (9%) spends more than 20% of the IT budget on AI. Surprisingly, the largest portion of the IT budget goes to blockchain, which is seen as the most promising technology by only 9% of IT professionals. In fact, the largest percentage of organizations (13%) spend more than 20 percent of the IT budget on it.
Also promising in our private lives
These new technologies can be used not only in business, but also in our private lives. Despite the business popularity of AI, only 11% say they see the most potential for it for our private lives. A quarter of IT professionals consider Internet of Things the most promising in this area, followed by 5G (18%). On a business level, 5G does not score as high: only 7% find the technology promising for their work, something that counterparts the personal lives point of view.
Aart-Jan Schouten, Telecom Lead Benelux at NTT DATA: "We humans are creatures of habit. We stick to what we know, and new things do not usually appeal to us at first. Nevertheless, it is important that you and your organization investigate all the new emerging technologies. What can you use them for? And (how) can they help your business move forward? Think back to when the Internet was new. This technology is now part of our lives and has given us a lot. So do not be afraid of the dangers of modern technologies, but rather look at the opportunities they have to offer, for example, in the tight labor market. In addition, they create opportunities in current jobs, as easy tasks are automated and IT professionals can do the work, they can make a difference with. Technology helps us including in the labor market, and we need not to fear, humans will always be needed in the future."
About the study
This survey was conducted on behalf of NTT DATA by PanelWizard among 503 salaried Dutch people (18+) who can describe their current position as IT professional, IT manager or IT specialist. They are employed in financial institutions, wholesale and retail, manufacturing, information and communications and transportation. This survey examined emerging technologies 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Intelligent Automation, Internet of Things, Low code and VR, AR & XR.