Younger respondents appear to be more cautious of the implementation of this technology
Older generations are significantly more positive towards AI technology in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), according to research commissioned by technology leader Genesys.
This suggests they are considerably more comfortable with the implementation of modern workforce tools as opposed to younger respondents.
The research found 70% of respondents aged 18-38 years believe there should be a minimum requirement of human employees over AI/bots compared to 59% of respondents aged 55-73 years.
The younger respondents appear to be more cautious of the implementation of this technology compared to more senior respondents.
All age demographics reported seeing the benefit of advanced technology in the workplace with an average of 87% stating it has a positive impact. Creating greater job efficiency was the main reason for the high positive impact across the generations with an average of 73%.
Moreover, 23% of respondents aged 18-38 years reported feeling threatened by new technology in the workplace, 6% higher than respondents aged 55-73 years.
A similar trend was identified in respondents aged 39-54 years, with 3% of this group reporting feeling more threatened by new technology compared to older respondents.
Gwilym Funnell, Vice President of Sales and Managing Director for Genesys in Australia and New Zealand said older generations are valuable members of our workplace, and these results dispel the myth that they are averse to technology.
“The evolution of business is calling for greater adaptability; this is when experience can be leveraged for greater success.”
According to the survey, younger respondents spent slightly more time at work interacting with computers/machines compared to older generations who spent more time interacting with humans.
When it came to a willingness to be trained by advanced technologies older respondents were less willing, suggesting they prefer to connect with humans rather than technology.
The survey uncovered another key difference between the generations - the perceptions of the impact of technology on social interactions in the workplace. 44% of respondents aged 55-73 years report technology does not inhibit social interactions at all, while those aged 18-38 years report it does – 7% more than their older peers.
The survey identified consistent differences between the generations, highlighting older respondents report feeling less threatened and more socially engaged by technology compared to younger respondents.
