The majority of Romanian employees want to use AI and learn new skills: PwC

The accelerated changes in companies and the much higher workload of the last 12 months have led Romanian employees to learn to use new technologies, according to the results of a PwC survey.

The main factors that will further reshape workplaces will be changes in customer preferences and government regulations, followed by the emergence of new technologies such as AI or robotics, according to almost 40 percent of Romanian employees. Comparatively, globally, technological changes are at the top of the list of factors that will affect jobs, as mentioned by 46 percent of respondents.

“Employees have begun to feel more and more the pressures of the changes that companies have faced in recent years and which are reflected in efforts to keep up with new technologies, regulations and other trends in the economy. The good news is that employees are showing optimism and engagement, with most showing readiness to adapt to new ways of working, learn other skills and use emerging technologies such as GenAI. Under these conditions, employers must ensure that they invest in both employees and technologies to alleviate pressures and retain talent”, said Dinu Bumbăcea, Country Managing Partner PwC Romania.

Most respondents (87 percent) show that they are ready to adapt to new ways of working and see the potential to use GenAI to increase their efficiency. However, over a third express fears about their job security. Thus, 53 percent of employees feel confident about job security, but 36 percent say recent changes worry them.

“GenAI has the potential to transform business models and fundamentally change certain industries. Companies need to carefully assess the associated risks and at the same time act quickly to take advantage of the opportunities. But this approach has a chance of success only with the involvement of employees. Cultivating transparency and trust in the implementation of GenAI strategy can help employees feel encouraged to experiment and ultimately innovate with this technology”, explains Daniel Anghel, Partner and Leader Tax, Legal & People, PwC Romania.

In addition to the changes felt over the past 12 months, employees have other concerns. Although they have more financial security than last year, most are stressed about money because while they can pay their bills, they do not have enough left over for savings, vacations or extra expenses.

Employees are adopting AI to reduce workplace pressures

A third of employees and about 40 percent of CEOs (according to the PwC CEO Survey) believe that the time spent on administrative activities is inefficient and agree that GenAI could help them save time.

The use of GenAI in the workplace is not yet widespread. While 51 percent of workers say they have used GenAI at work at least once in the last 12 months, only 5 percent use it daily and 13 percent weekly.

In this context, only 27 percent of Romanian respondents expect GenAI to fundamentally change their profession within five years, compared to 40 percent globally.

Competences – a valuable currency of exchange

Upskilling has become very valuable to employees, who consider it a differentiator for the company. About 60 percent of respondents say that their employer provides them with adequate opportunities to acquire new skills useful in their career, and 46 percent say that these opportunities are a key factor when they decide to stay or leave for another job.

“Technological innovation has always reshaped the labor market and created new opportunities. Although AI is rapidly being adopted and can perform more tasks than previous technologies, it will not lead to an overall decline in jobs. However, it is essential to adapt to the new realities. The Hopes & Fears Survey 2024 once again confirms the need for a proactive attitude towards continuous learning on the part of both employers and employees, while flexibility and openness to change are essential assets in a labour market reshaped by AI and significantly disrupted by the geopolitical and economic context”, says Oana Munteanu, People & Organisation Director, PwC Romania.

Job satisfaction has increased, and salary remains the most important criterion

The main factor that motivates employees is fair pay based on performance. Of the 86 percent of respondents who rated it very and extremely important to be paid fairly, 72 percent reported that their current job offers them satisfactory remuneration.

Employees also found satisfying, collaborative and flexible work to be very important. Professional satisfaction increased slightly, from 53 percent in 2023, to 59 percent of employees who showed themselves satisfied this year. However, the intention to change employers is expressed by 20 percent of respondents, compared to 18 percent in 2023.