A new report from Generation, a global employment nonprofit, highlights the experiences and challenges faced by midcareer and older workers as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent in the workplace.
The study, titled Age-Proofing AI: Enabling an Intergenerational Workforce to Benefit from AI, was conducted with support from Google.org and The SCAN Foundation, featuring insights from over 4,000 employees and employers across France, Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The research indicates a troubling trend in hiring practices, particularly for entry-level and mid-level positions, as revealed in a media release.
Employers in the US and Europe anticipate significant reductions in hiring, with projections ranging from 22 per cent to 64 per cent over the next year.
Despite 89 per cent of employers acknowledging that midcareer and older workers perform at least as well as their younger counterparts, the new survey reveals a clear preference for younger candidates in AI-related roles.
In the US, 90 per cent of hiring managers are inclined to consider applicants under 35, while only 32 per cent would consider candidates over 60.
European employers showed a similar trend, with only 33 per cent open to older candidates compared to 86 per cent for younger ones.
The study found that only 15 per cent of workers over 45 report using generative AI tools in their jobs.
Among those who do, most are self-taught “power users,” employing AI multiple times a week to enhance various work activities.
Notably, over half of these users reported improvements in quality, productivity, and decision-making due to AI. I
In the US, 35 per cent of older workers indicated increased job satisfaction from AI use, while this figure rose to 58 per cent in Europe.
However, the limited use of AI among older employees may mask the growth potential of these technologies in their roles.
Many older workers, leveraging their experience, may excel at creating effective AI prompts and interpreting the results, even if they do not rely on AI as heavily as younger counterparts.
The report indicates that nearly half of US hiring managers (47 per cent) and 29 per cent of European employers have begun to provide AI tools to their workforce, with many planning to implement additional support in the coming year.
More than 90 per cent of employers now offer some form of training for AI users, though only about half provide formal training programs.
The research also reveals mixed feelings among older workers regarding AI. Of those over 45 who do not currently use AI tools, 24 per cent in the US and 36 per cent in Europe expressed interest in learning to use them.
However, approximately a quarter were neutral or unsure, and nearly one-third of US non-users, along with 17 per cent of European non-users, indicated a lack of interest in AI altogether.
Dr Mona Mourshed, Founding Global CEO of Generation, emphasised the importance of combining AI’s capabilities with human expertise.
“This data underscores the importance of continuing to combat ageism, and points to an opportunity for us to take a more nuanced view in the AI-infused workplace of how to leverage the unique assets that workers of different ages and experience levels bring to the table,” she said.
Anika Heavener, Vice President of Innovation and Investments at The SCAN Foundation, echoed this sentiment: “AI is already transforming work as we know it, but at the same time, AI implementation has the potential to exacerbate ageism in the workplace.”
“Older workers offer unique skills and experience, and employers need to provide them with the training and support they need to reap the benefits of AI and successfully integrate the technology into their day-to-day jobs,” Heavener concluded.
For further insights, read the full report here.
