Over Half of Government Workforce Welcome Intelligent Technologies, but want more Technical Support & User Training, Accordin...
February 19 2019 - 12:59PM
Business Wire
U.S. government workers are receptive to learning and using new
intelligent technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and
welcome opportunities to augment their skill sets according to a
study released today by Government Business Council (GBC), the
research division of Government Executive Media Group, and
underwritten by Accenture Federal Services (AFS). However, the
research also found that workers believe that agencies need to
better communicate how such technologies will affect them and
additionally equip them with resources to navigate the
transition.
Based on a survey of nearly 500 U.S. federal employees
representing more than 30 civilian and defense agencies, the study
explores perceptions of intelligent technologies like AI and their
potential impact on the federal workforce.
“The Federal workforce knows the potential benefits of AI and
that intelligent technologies are coming — but what workers don’t
yet know is how it will affect and amplify their work,” said
Britaini Carroll, a human capital workforce lead at Accenture
Federal Services. “Because employees play a key role in training,
sustaining and interacting with intelligent technologies, they
should be engaged in every step of the process and encouraged to
continuously learn. We look forward to co-creating solutions with
our government clients to help them transform their learning
journeys and effectively incorporate AI in their workforce
transformation plans.”
Among the study’s key findings:
- Workers recognize that AI will be
important — but their agencies haven’t explained how. Half (51
percent) of respondents expect the number of roles requiring
collaboration with intelligent technologies to increase slightly or
significantly in the next three years. Further, three-quarters
(74 percent) acknowledge that in the next three to five years,
it will be somewhat, very or extremely important for them to
develop skills to work with AI. Yet only 26 percent said their
agency has communicated the potential impact of AI either
adequately, well or very well.
- Workers value smart tech’s potential
to reduce repetitive tasks and boost productivity. Workers
identified several compelling potential benefits of intelligent
technologies, including reduced repetitive tasks and administrative
burdens (cited by 59 percent), improved productivity (53 percent)
and reduced errors (46 percent). Interestingly, respondents were
mixed on whether new technologies are always acquired for the
benefit of employees. While half (50 percent) believe that their
agency is committed to ensuring employee skills benefit from new
technologies, 29 percent believe that such tools are introduced
without an appraisal of the employees’ current
responsibilities.
- Workers feel confident in their
ability to adapt but worry about lack of training. When
thinking about how well they will “fit” in the government of the
future, half (49 percent) of respondents said they are confident or
very confident that their technical skills and abilities make them
a valuable worker, and three-quarters (76 percent) indicated that
adaptability will be an essential skill to have in a government of
the future. However, 61 percent said they are worried about lack of
technical support and user training. Further, when respondents were
asked what would motivate them to develop new skills in a future
workforce, “being provided funding to cover training costs” was
cited most often, by 55 percent of respondents.
“AI is one of the most engaging topics we are seeing unfold in
the federal government right now,” said Daniel Thomas, research
manager for GBC and author of the study. “These findings show that
there is a significant appetite for continued education around the
opportunities that intelligent technologies like AI present to the
federal employee.”
“Agencies should think big but start small in building a
strategic, sustainable and responsible enterprise AI program,” said
Dominic Delmolino, Accenture Federal Services chief technology
officer. “Furthermore, AI adoption should be pursued in the context
of shifting employees from low-value to high- value work. By using
a design-led approach when deploying new solutions, we ensure that
employees are leading the identification of where AI tasks can
augment their work, reinforce trust in the solution, build new
relationships, and ultimately, encourage the adoption of AI
technologies that will help meet rising demands.”
For the full results of the study, visit: Federal workers
ready to thrive in the age of AI
About the Research
To identify federal workers’ perceptions of intelligent
technologies like AI and the potential impact of those technologies
on the federal workforce, GBC surveyed 496 U.S. federal employees
representing more than 30 civilian and defense agencies. Slightly
more than half (52 percent) of respondents self-identified as
GS/GM-13 rank or higher. The survey was fielded to Government
Executive Media Group’s database of digital subscribers in May
2018.
About Government Business Council:
As Government Executive Media Group's research division,
Government Business Council (GBC) is dedicated to advancing the
business of government through analysis, insight, and analytical
independence. An extension of Government Executive's 40 years of
exemplary editorial standards and commitment to the highest ethical
values, GBC studies influential decision makers from across
government to produce intelligence-based research and analysis.
About Accenture Federal Services
Accenture Federal Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Accenture LLP, is a U.S. company with offices in Arlington,
Virginia. Accenture’s federal business has served every
cabinet-level department and 30 of the largest federal
organizations. Accenture Federal Services transforms bold ideas
into breakthrough outcomes for clients at defense, intelligence,
public safety, civilian and military health organizations. Learn
more at www.accenturefederal.com.
About Accenture
Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is a leading global professional services
company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in
strategy, consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining
unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40
industries and all business functions — underpinned by the world’s
largest delivery network — Accenture works at the intersection of
business and technology to help clients improve their performance
and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 469,000
people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives
innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us
at www.accenture.com.
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Daniel ThomasGovernment Business Council+1 202 266
7905dthomas@govexec.com
Maryjane NorrisAccenture+1 571 414
4475maryjane.o.norris@accenturefederal.com
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