Microsoft and LinkedIn research reveals that workers are secretly using AI on important tasks to avoid appearing replaceable, despite fears it may make them look replaceable.

The use of AI in the workplace is at its peak, with employees striving to maximize their productivity, but there are still concerns about the technology replacing jobs, as per a recent study by Microsoft and LinkedIn.

The Annual Work Trend Index, which was released by Microsoft and LinkedIn on Wednesday, examined the impact of AI on the job market through surveying 31,000 individuals across 31 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, India, Singapore, Australia, and Brazil.

Despite 75% of workers using AI in the workplace, over half of respondents do not admit to using it for their most critical tasks. This is because 53% of those who use AI on their most important tasks are concerned that it makes them appear replaceable.

Nearly half of professionals are worried that AI will replace their jobs and are considering leaving their current positions in the upcoming year.

Microsoft Copilot's general manager, Colette Stallbaumer, advised CNBC Make It that workers should overcome their fears and start adopting AI technology.

Stallbaumer advised that as an employee, the more you lean in and learn, the better your outcome will be.

"To become more marketable, individuals must overcome their fear and adopt an optimistic, growth-oriented mindset, embracing the opportunity to acquire new skills, regardless of whether they are currently employed or seeking employment."

Bosses are keen to hire workers with AI aptitude

While the demand for technical AI talent has surged 323% in the past eight years, there is also a high demand for non-technical workers who can use AI tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

A study found that 66% of leaders would not hire someone without AI skills, while 71% of leaders would prefer to hire a less experienced worker with AI skills over a more experienced person without them.

Despite the importance of AI knowledge in the workplace, bosses are not actively working to enhance their employees' skills. In fact, nearly half of U.S. executives are not investing in AI tools or products for their employees, and only a quarter of companies are planning to provide training on generative AI this year.

Only 39% of global workers who use AI at work have received training from their employers.

According to Aneesh Raman, vice president and workforce expert at LinkedIn, while employees seem to be adopting AI, companies are not yet fully grasping its potential.

"If you're a company, you're either falling behind or getting ahead. There's no standing in place, so you should be having conversations about your perspective on AI and how it can grow your business."

Workers are using AI to get ahead

Although some fears exist, workers recognize the benefits of AI tools and are utilizing them to advance their professional development.

Nearly three-quarters of professionals believe that having AI skills will enable them to stay competitive in the job market and increase their job prospects. Approximately 68% of professionals say that AI skills can help them get promoted faster.

Raman stated that the key for everyone is to understand that our jobs will change and new categories of jobs will emerge, and the best way to deal with the resulting anxiety is to focus on developing skills.

Raman stated that Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, believes that the current era is about being a "learn-it-all" rather than a "know-it-all."