Over 8 in 10 Malaysian knowledge workers now using AI

More than eight in 10 knowledge workers in Malaysia are now using artificial intelligence at work, putting pressure on leaders to catch up with employees' widespread utilisation of the technology.

The 2024 Work Trend Index from Microsoft and LinkedIn revealed that 84% of Malaysian knowledge workers are using AI, much higher than the global average of 75%.

"The 2024 Work Trend Index revealed that 84% of Malaysian knowledge workers are already using AI at work to stay productive, save time, and be more creative – and they are not pausing for the rollout of a coherent AI vision and roadmap from their organisations," said K Raman, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, in a statement.

According to the report, 85% of AI power users, or those who use the tech several times a week, frequently start their day using the tech. Another 82% use it to plan for the following workday.

Another 83% are bringing their own tools to work, which the report said could make them miss out on the benefits of strategic AI use and put company data at risk.

Pressure on leaders to adopt AI

Amid these findings, Raman said leaders in Malaysia "must demonstrate more appetite for rapid experimentation to business transformation."

This call is not lost on Malaysian leaders, where 88% acknowledged that their company needs to adopt AI to stay competitive. Some 66%, however, expressed concerns that they lack the plan and vision to implement AI tools at work.

But there are employers who are also adopting a new talent strategy in the wake of AI tools.

This includes Malaysian leaders refusing to hire someone without AI skills (62%) and preferring to hire someone with less employment experience but has AI skills (65%).

Rohit Kalsy, Head of Sales, Emerging Markets, Southeast Asia, LinkedIn, said this shows that AI competency is now a "necessity in today's workplace."

"In an era where the talent landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, leaders who focus on agility and invest in skills development to cultivate an AI-ready workforce will hold a competitive advantage," Kalsy said in a statement.

The findings come after findings that 50% of Malaysia's workforce needs to be retrained amid the rise of AI tools to help them "remain employed" in the next two years.