One in three Malaysian have never used AI at work: Randstad

• More than 1 in 5 workers currently use AI every day or frequently at work
• 81% of Malaysian respondents understand the impact AI will have on their jobs 

One in three Malaysians has never used AI at work, while another 10 percent of respondents have only used AI tools once, showing a significant exposure gap in AI skill development in Malaysia.

Talent company Randstad has released the full results of its 9th annual Employer Brand Research in Malaysia. Conducted by Kantar TNS in January 2024, the study surveyed more than 173,000 respondents around the world, including 2,500 individuals in Malaysia, making it what it claims to be the most comprehensive employer branding research based on general talent perceptions.

Fahad Naeem, country director at Randstad Malaysia, 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. 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.”

81% of Malaysians feel the impact of AI on their jobs

The survey highlights that more than one in five workers currently use AI every day or frequently at work, particularly Gen Zers (36 percent) and Millennials (24 percent). However, 34 percent of respondents said they have never used AI tools at work.

Notably, there are significant generational disparities regarding AI exposure. At work, 42 percent of Gen Xers have never used AI, and this increases to 73 percent for Baby Boomers.

In Malaysia, 81 percent 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 percent believe that the technology will impact their careers. This is similar to Gen Zers (74 percent) and Millennials (73 percent), who are already more familiar with AI, the survey stated.

It added that, encouragingly, workforce attitudes on AI’s impact at work skew positive, with 45 percent 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, it said.

Naeem said, “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.”

The survey revealed that one in ten 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 their organisations (63 percent) than those who do (31 percent).

Salary & benefits top of mind for malaysian job seekers

According to the report, “Attractive salary and benefits” stand 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, the report showed, highlighting that 48 percent of job switchers look for new employers to improve it. Additionally, one in three Malaysians reported quitting their jobs due to low salaries and rising living costs.

Naeem said, “The cost of living has increased significantly over the past two years, which has resulted in many Malaysians seeking higher-paying jobs. This is not surprising given that living expenses have caught up with salaries. Employees who are 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.”

When asked if their employers had provided them with financial assistance to manage the rising cost of living, 35 percent said no. Another 34 percent reported that their pay raise helped to cover some of the costs, and only 10 percent received one-time financial support from their employers.

In its 9th year, the Employer Brand Research is an independent survey commissioned by Randstad and features the voices of at least 2,500 respondents in Malaysia.

The report features more in-depth data about the research that can help organisations and employers shape their employer branding strategies and attract talent to work in Malaysia. The survey provides employers with year-on-year trend analysis of the top employee value proposition factors from a list of 10, as well as insights into talent perceptions on important human resources topics like equity at work and the impact of AI on talent.

Click here to obtain a copy of the report.