Are Malaysians falling behind in AI adoption?
One in five workers in Malaysia uses AI frequently – if not every day – in the workplace. However, a greater percentage appears to be lagging in AI adoption, the latest study from Randstad revealed.
In a survey of 2,500 workers in Malaysia, Randstad found a “significant exposure gap in AI skill development” across the country’s workforce, with 1 in 3 reporting they have never used AI tools while another 1 in 10 saying they have used AI only once.
AI is affecting how work is done in Malaysia
Of those who use AI regularly, younger workers tend to show greater uptake of the nascent tech: Gen Z (36%) and Millennial workers (24%) are using AI to augment their everyday tasks.
This trend is part of a larger generational disparity. Among those who have yet to use AI tools, 42% are Gen Xers while 73% are Baby Boomers.
Yet, even with their limited exposure to actual AI tools, 81% of workers in Malaysia understand that emerging tech will shape their careers in significant ways.
Percentage of workers who believe AI will impact their work:
- 74% of Gen Z
- 73% of Millennials
- 71% of Gen X
Malaysians' positive outlook on AI adoption
All this signifies that Malaysian employers have a long way to go at closing the gap between what workers understand about AI and how they are deploying it. Employers will have to create opportunities for their staff to grow in this time of change, the results suggested.
In fact, 10% of workers surveyed by Randstad reported lacking opportunities to develop in their role. Without the chance to upskill and progress in their careers, employees are twice as likely to quit.
Despite current disparities in AI exposure and skilling, however, 45% look forward to AI increasing their job satisfaction level. “Notably, those already using AI and the higher-educated are more optimistic that AI will boost their job satisfaction,” Randstad found.
“AI technology will continue to change skill needs and workforce structures,” said Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia.
“Investing in talent development will help organisations hire skilled talent and attract more people to work in Malaysia.”
Naeem pointed out how excitement over AI adoption will also lead to workers wondering how the emerging tech will influence their careers and the overall future of work. The country director recommends enabling employees to get their feet wet and learn as much as they can about new tools.
“Early exposure to new technologies can boost their career outlook while nurturing skills development in the organisation,” Naeem said. “With AI integration, employers should step up to support their employees’ skills growth due to the rapid and extensive progress in AI.”
