Microsoft and LinkedIn have jointly unveiled the fourth Work Trends Index, revealing how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way people work worldwide. The report, based on surveys of 31,000 individuals from 31 countries, including 1,000 skilled workers in Spain, along with data from LinkedIn and Microsoft 365, provides deep insights into current labor market dynamics and AI adoption.
Growing Demand for AI in Work
The study shows that AI is quickly being integrated into the work environment. In Spain, 68% of workers are already using AI tools in their daily routines, compared to 75% globally. However, despite recognizing its importance, 59% of business leaders in Spain fear that their organizations lack a clear strategy to implement AI, making it difficult to quantify its productivity benefits.
On a global level, three out of four employees are using AI in their work, with 78% of users in Spain introducing their own AI tools in the workplace. This underscores the urgency for business leaders to steer this momentum towards tangible return on investment.
AI Raises the Bar and Breaks the Glass Ceiling
The report also reveals that AI is having a significant impact on the labor market. 46% of employees are considering a career change, the highest since the Great Reorganization of 2021. In the United States, this figure reaches 85%. Additionally, 55% of global leaders are concerned about not having enough talent to fill vacant positions, especially in sectors like cybersecurity, engineering, and creative design.
In Spain, 64% of leaders would not hire someone without AI skills, while only 39% of users worldwide have received AI training from their company. Only 25% of companies expect to offer such training this year, prompting professionals to acquire these skills on their own. Since the end of last year, the number of LinkedIn users adding AI skills to their profiles has increased by 142 times.
The Emergence of Advanced AI Users
The study identifies a new type of worker: the advanced AI user. These employees not only optimize their workload with AI but also redesign business processes and workflows, saving over 30 minutes per day. In Spain, these users are 40% more likely to seek helpful insights from their peers and 81% more likely to explore new ways to use AI.
New Copilot Features for Microsoft 365
To support users in generating more accurate prompts, Microsoft has announced new features for Copilot in Microsoft 365:
Autocomplete: Suggestions for crafting more detailed prompts.
Rewrite: Transformation of basic requests into richer ones with a single click.
Catch Up: A new chat interface offering personalized recommendations based on recent activity.
LinkedIn Resources for Professional Development
LinkedIn has also launched AI tools to help professionals advance in their careers:
LinkedIn Learning: Over 22,000 courses, including 600 on AI, available for free until July 8.
Personalized Feedback: LinkedIn Premium subscribers can receive tailored recommendations to boost their professional development.
Job Search: New AI-based tools help assess suitability for a role and receive suggestions on relevant skills and contacts.
Conclusions
The fourth Work Trends Index by Microsoft and LinkedIn highlights the urgent need for organizations to invest in AI training and tools. Those that do so will not only attract the best available talent but also give their employees a significant competitive edge. With AI rapidly transforming the work environment, it is essential for companies and professionals to adapt to fully leverage its benefits.