KUALA LUMPUR: One in three Malaysians have never used AI at work, while another 10 per cent of respondents have only used artificial intelligence (AI) tools once, highlighting a significant gap in AI skill development in Malaysia.
Randstad, the world's largest talent company, today released the full results of its 9th annual Employer Brand Research in Malaysia.
The gap grows between generations, with 42 per cent of Gen Xers having never used AI, and 73 per cent for Baby Boomers.
Conducted by Kantar TNS in Jan 2024, the study surveyed more than 173,000 respondents worldwide, including 2,500 individuals in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the study also found that more than one in five workers currently use AI every day or frequently at work, particularly Gen Zers (36 per cent) and Millennials (24 per cent).
In Malaysia, 81 per cent of respondents understand the impact AI will have on their jobs.
Despite nearly half of Gen Xers not having any exposure to AI at work, 71 per cent believe that the technology will impact their careers.
This is similar to Gen Xers (74 per cent) and Millennials (73 per cent), who are already more familiar with AI.
Additionally, the study revealed positive workforce attitudes towards AI's impact at work, with 45 per cent of respondents stating that it will increase their job satisfaction.
Notably, those already using AI and the higher-educated are more optimistic that AI will boost their job satisfaction.
Randstad Malaysia country director Fahad Naeem said the annual employer brand research guides employers with year-on-year analysis, as well as talent attitudes and perceptions on important topics like skill development and equity.
He added that AI technology will continue to change skill needs and workforce structures, and investing in talent development will help organisations hire skilled talent and attract more people to work in Malaysia.
"The emergence of AI has been exciting, but it's normal for employees to wonder how it
will impact their careers.
"Early exposure to new technologies can boost their career outlook while nurturing skills development in the organisation.
"With AI integration, employers should step up to support their employees' skills growth due to the rapid and extensive progress in AI," he added.
Furthermore, the survey also revealed that one in 10 respondents did not receive enough opportunities to develop in their role.
In a competitive job market, workers who do not receive opportunities for upskilling and career advancements are twice as likely to leave the organisations (63 per cent) than those who do (31 per cent).
"Attractive salary and benefits" stood out as the top priority for respondents when looking for an ideal employer to work for in Malaysia, followed by a "good work-life balance".
"Strong Management" has also regained its importance, as it returns to being the third most important employer value proposition after sliding to fifth position in 2023.
Poor work-life balance is also the top reason why people leave their jobs, as 48 per cent of job switchers look for new employers to improve it.
One in three Malaysians reported quitting their jobs due to low salaries and rising living costs.
The study also noted that when asked if their employers had provided them with financial assistance to manage the rising cost of living, 35 per cent said no.
Another 34 per cent reported that their pay raise helped to cover some of the costs and only 10 per cent received one-time financial support from their employers.
According to Fahad, the cost of living has increased significantly over the past two years, which has resulted in many Malaysians seeking higher-paying jobs.
He said this is not surprising given that living expenses have caught up with salaries.
"Employees stressed about their personal finances are also more likely to lose focus at work.
"At the same time, some in-demand talent are hesitant to switch jobs due to the global economic climate.
"It is hence critical for organisations looking to recruit talent to understand not just how much candidates expect, but also new market salary averages offered by their competitors," he said.