KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – A recent study by Randstad Malaysia, the world’s largest talent company, reveals a significant exposure gap in AI skill development among the Malaysian workforce. Conducted by Kantar TNS in January 2024, the 9th Employer Brand Research surveyed over 173,000 respondents globally, including 2,500 individuals from Malaysia, making it the most comprehensive employer branding research based on general talent perceptions.
The study highlights that one in three Malaysians have never used AI at work, while another 10 percent have only used AI tools once. This disparity is especially pronounced among different generations. Notably, 42 percent of Gen Xers and 73 percent of Baby Boomers have never used AI in their work, in stark contrast to 36 percent of Gen Zers and 24 percent of Millennials who use AI daily or frequently.
Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia, stated, “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.”
Moreover, the research found that 81 percent of Malaysians are aware of 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, aligning closely with the 74 percent of Baby Boomers and 73 percent of Millennials who share this belief.
Encouragingly, workforce attitudes towards AI’s impact at work are largely positive, with 45 percent of respondents indicating that it will increase their job satisfaction. Those already using AI and higher-educated individuals are particularly optimistic about AI boosting their job satisfaction.
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Naeem added, “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.”
In addition to AI insights, the study also shed light on the priorities and concerns of Malaysian job seekers. Attractive salaries and benefits emerged as the top priority, with 35 percent of respondents indicating that their employers did not provide any financial support amid rising costs and inflation. Furthermore, 48 percent of job switchers cited poor work-life balance as the primary reason for leaving their jobs, followed by low salaries and rising living costs.
Naeem commented, “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 about their employers’ support in managing the rising cost of living, 35 percent of respondents reported receiving no financial assistance, while 34 percent said their pay raise helped cover some costs, and only 10 percent received one-time financial support from their employers.
For more detailed insights, visit Randstad Malaysia’s official website.
