Artificial Intelligence in Knowledge Work - information, solutions and visions
Objectives
Generative artificial intelligence can be regarded as a key driver of change in work life and knowledge work. However, making use of the possibilities of artificial intelligence requires an in-depth understanding of the opportunities and risks involved. What will be decisive is the types of visions used to develop, use and regulate AI and the purposes it is used for.
Utilising artificial intelligence in ways that support productivity, quality of work and the improvement of working conditions requires new kinds of competence and understanding from workplaces.
The project collects data from five knowledge work organizations representing different industries. The goal is to produce up-to-date information for wide utilisation on how artificial intelligence is transforming and can transform the operations and expertise in workplaces across various fields.
The project aims to:
- understand the current and future impacts of the use of generative artificial intelligence in knowledge work and workplaces (interviews and surveys at target workplaces)
- investigate the connections between the use of generative artificial intelligence and job control, meaningfulness and well-being in different sectors and at different career stages (2023 survey on working conditions)
To map out alternative long-term development possibilities and trajectories of knowledge work that utilises generative artificial intelligence, as well as the impacts of such trajectories at the workplace and labor market levels, and the prerequisites for their realisation (Scenario Work).
In addition, the project will produce a practical tool, a roadmap, based on the research conducted within the project and previous studies, to support organisations in the adoption and visioning of the use of artificial intelligence.
Data and methods
The project will employ data based on interviews and electronic forms data collected at the target workplaces as well as a vision survey targeted at key personnel, which maps out views on the long-term development opportunities of knowledge work that utilises artificial intelligence.
In addition, data from the 2023 Quality of Work Life Survey on working conditions will be used to produce a comprehensive overview of the use of artificial intelligence by Finnish knowledge workers and the related psychosocial workload.
The project also makes use of scenario workshop data. In the project's three scenario workshops, representatives from organisations utilising artificial intelligence and other key stakeholders gather to discuss the role and potential of artificial intelligence in future knowledge work.
Results and impact
The research produces new information on a phenomenon with very significant long-term effects on work life. The results are innovative in three ways:
- The research produces a statistically generalisable snapshot of employees' use of artificial intelligence and the associated factors in Finland, based on the 2023 Quality of Work Life Survey.
- The research follows the development of the use of generative artificial intelligence as a process in five target organisations.
- The research produces a medium-term (approximately 5 years) scenario with various alternative development trajectories for generative artificial intelligence in knowledge work, based on extensive expert collaboration.
Contact us
Kirsi Yli-Kaitala
Information about the illustration
The illustration on this page was created using the AI-based language model Ideogram Upscale 1.0. The prompt used: "A photo of a middle-aged female expert working on computer engineering in an office filled with warm and natural light during daytime. She is wearing a linen shirt and glasses. Her computer screens are visible, showing code and various software applications including a small chat bot messenger window. The office has a modern Scandinavian look with wooden elements and green plants."
Funding
The Finnish Work Environment Fund
