European businesses rely increasingly on artificial intelligence (AI). That is what the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey showed, published today.
The publication coincides with the European AI Innovation Month that brings together policymakers, industry, public sector, and research to discuss and showcase how AI is being developed and applied across EU industry sectors.
Algorithmic management (AM) or automated systems refer to digital systems that help managers organise the workforce and/or support their decisions about tasks, schedules, performance or staffing. These systems can be powered by AI or not, and include both tools that automate decision-making and tools that make recommendations, while the final decision is taken by people.
According to the survey, 42% of the European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies consulted already use (AI and AM, most of them in a limited and experimental way. An additional 21% plan to do so in the future. Besides their use in customer service and client relations (47%), AI and AM are also being used by 36% of the interviewed enterprises for monitoring performance and productivity. Logistics, planning and staff scheduling (30%) are also common uses. Furthermore, a clear majority of these European companies (61%) say that the use of AI helps them to take decisions. 75% of surveyed companies believe that AI and AM will improve job quality. Most of them (90%) say that people take the decisions, while only 2% are fully automated.
High investment costs (50%), legal uncertainty (49%), and lack of expertise (48%) remain key barriers to wider uptake, according to the survey. Almost half (49%) of companies do not trust artificial intelligence or automated systems for decisions related to workforce or staff matters. Some of these obstacles are addressed by existing EU rules. They include the General Data Protection Regulation and the AI Act , which ensure safety, fundamental rights and human-centric AI, while supporting uptake, investment and innovation in AI across the EU.
The upcoming Quality Jobs Act will increase clarity for companies and better protect workers' rights in relation to algorithmic management. In the second-stage consultation for the Quality Jobs Act, EU social partners expressed their views on EU action needed in this field.
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