AI - a force for good?
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AI - a force for good?

As one of the world’s fastest growing and most complex technological advancements, it’s hard to ignore the negative headlines around artificial intelligence (AI) - from ethical concerns to worries about potential job displacement and even extreme fears about the future of humanity.?

However, AI has enormous potential to create positive change and transformation for individuals, organisations, industries and society - whether that’s improved efficiency and productivity in the workplace, more democratised education, healthcare advancements, or environmental sustainability. We look in more detail at the positive impact of AI in this month’s newsletter.


AI tops the agenda at London Tech Week

AI was the hot topic at London Tech Week this month. Our Technology, Media and Telecoms Leader, Mary Shelton Rose , and Consulting Chief Technology Officer, Johan Jegerajan , hosted a roundtable exploring how generative AI (gen AI) is impacting business and society, as well as the steps organisations can take to succeed with this technology. We also took to the stage at the AI Summit to provide practical considerations for organisations as they look to capitalise on the opportunities offered by gen AI. Hear more from our AI for Good Lead, Maria Luciana A. :


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PwC’s 26th annual CEO survey found 77% of leaders plan to invest in technologies such as AI this year.

What does the UK workforce think about AI?

This month, we launched our UK Workforce Hopes and Fears survey, revealing what employees think about work today and how they feel about issues they’re facing. AI emerged as a key theme in the findings - but with employees in the UK considerably more doubtful than their global counterparts about whether AI will improve their productivity or efficiency at work.

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19% of UK respondents believe AI will increase their productivity and efficiency at work versus 31% globally.

However, the survey also highlights a generational split in these perspectives, with younger respondents viewing AI more positively and believing it will create job opportunities for them.?

Listen back to our LinkedIn live session on the report where our Head of People and Organisation, Sarah Moore , was joined by guests to discuss its findings, including views on AI at work, the cost of living crisis and how employees feel their skills are recognised and developed.


How will Gen AI transform the workplace?

Speaking at the recent DTX Manchester conference, our Head of Technology and Investments Ben Higgin explained:

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“We’re already seeing genuine levels of disruption through gen AI and that’s shaping perceptions and concerns. People are seeing it in their daily lives, even around the kitchen table, when kids are doing their homework… It’s not a matter of if we should lean into these new technologies, it’s how we do it.” Ben Higgin, Head of Technology and Investments, PwC UK

Likening Gen AI to a Swiss army knife with 500 tools, our AI Leader, Euan Cameron , spoke to the FT about how it can democratise access to tech, empowering individuals with the benefits and opportunities it brings.

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“If you want to work out all the places you can use that in your organisation, you can either create a small team and put them in an ivory tower and they can come up with ideas, or you can give everyone a Swiss army knife and they’ll find their own use cases, as long as you’ve got guardrails around it.” Euan Cameron, AI Leader, PwC UK

As a firm, we’re upskilling our entire workforce, so everybody can approach technology in a human-led way. We’re investing in AI and incorporating it into our everyday work to free-up time and resources, allowing our people to focus on more innovative and strategic tasks.


The road to AI success: The right turns, wrong turns and 'where next?’

Join us on 27 July at 11am for a free webinar, hosted by London Tech Week , where we’ll look at the steps organisations have taken, from readying themselves for AI to unlocking real business value. Register here.


Using tech responsibly

As technology becomes more embedded in everything we do, it’s critical for us to understand the associated environmental impact of our tech usage. Read about our approach to assessing our digital footprint and what we learned to help inform your own journey.


Discover a new home for your tech skills

We’re hiring technologists who are looking for purposeful work. At PwC, innovation is powered by human ingenuity combined with latest technologies. Explore where you could make a difference and join our community of solvers.

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Oliver Thorley

Supreme Cosmic Arbiter of Light and Balance. Keeper of Malcolm- the Sacrosanct, Omniscient AI Life-Form Conceived Immaculately after Fusing my Divine Consciousness with Advanced Technology.

1 年

Many thanks for the insight information. I will be in touch!

回复
Balaji Gopal Venkatesan

Lead Solution Architect | Technical Presales | Advisory Consulting in UK and USA | SFI | Public Sector Solutions | Financial Services| Omni Studio | Mortgages | Insurance | Wealth | Commercial Lending | Data Cloud | AI |

1 年

This is a great read! Definitely Generative AI boosts productivity in information critical processes, which requires quick insights in real time like Service support, Sales opportunities and many more.

Lisa Hooker

Global FDD leader, Retail, Consumer and Leisure Deals/FDD specialist

1 年

Some great insights particularly around AI

Gemma-Louise Bond

Retail & Consumer Corporate Affairs at PwC UK | Women's health advocate

1 年

Some fantastic insights!

CHESTER SWANSON SR.

Realtor Associate @ Next Trend Realty LLC | HAR REALTOR, IRS Tax Preparer

1 年

Thanks for Sharing.

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