From foe to friend? Professionals now see AI as a transformative tool that will save time, create more specialist jobs: Reuters report

Since time immemorial, humanity's response to change has followed a consistent pattern. Humans often face change with initial fear, driven by uncertainty. However, as we begin to test and explore new realities, this fear transforms into familiarity. Gradually, understanding replaces apprehension, and what once seemed daunting becomes routine.

This journey from fear to familiarity, followed by acceptance and eventual mastery, may perfectly encapsulate our evolving perspective on AI as well, a new report by Thomson Reuters has indicated.

Released on July 9, Thomson Reuters’ 2nd annual $4 has revealed that AI and Generative AI—initially viewed with apprehension—are now being seen more positively, as the central issues driving change across various professions.

The report is based on a survey of over 2,200 professionals from fields such as legal, tax, trade, accounting and fraud, spanning individual firms, corporate functions and government agencies globally.
AI: From a competitive foe to a collaborative friend?
Compared to last year's survey, this year's report indicates a significant shift in respondents’ attitudes. Over three-quarters (77%) of the surveyed professionals believe AI will have a high or transformational impact on their work in the next five years—a 10 percentage point increase from the 2023 report. Notably, the percentage of those predicting a transformational impact has risen from 34% in 2023 to 42% this year.

The report highlights not only the growing expectation of AI’s influence but also the evolving perspectives on its application within various professions. It explores how AI can enhance workplace efficiency and add value to work products and client services, predicting that AI-powered tools could save professionals up to four hours per week in the coming year.

Concerns about AI’s impact, particularly regarding job loss and malicious use, have also diminished. Instead, there is a growing recognition of the need for human oversight to ensure ethical AI usage. Professionals now expect the rise of AI to create more technology-related jobs rather than eliminate existing ones.

Steve Hasker, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters, asserts: “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.”

All in all, the report underscores the significant changes AI is expected to bring to professional work, emphasising the ethical use of new technologies and the future landscape of professional life. It suggests that AI will not just alter how professionals work, but will also necessitate new AI-specialist roles and responsibilities within the workforce.