This master thesis gives an overview of the topic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analyses respective effects on jobs, related employee tasks and skills. The practical empirical research examines the perceptions of AI in Saarland SMEs focusing on the actual use and their opinion of AI changing the workplace.
Qualitative interviews with SMEs in Saarland was compared to existing surveys done concerning AI. 20 interviews have been conducted in total and data from the surveys was analysed with an explaining methodology as a confirmatory research approach.
Results of the empirical research show a lack of knowledge in both AI organizational implementation and the evaluation of existing job profiles impacted by AI. A two-pillar roadmap, consisting of Technology and People, is developed by taking existing evaluation models into account and developing an own AI implementation Canvas. This thesis is a contribution to the currently rarely discussed topic of AI in Saarland.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a new topic and has been researched since the 1940s. But, due to technological improvements like increased computer power at reduced costs and the occurence of Big Data, it is the most promising technology driving digitalization.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Artificial Intelligence – Why Now?
- Objective and Research Questions
- Structure and Methodological Approach
- Drivers and Megatrends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Future Workplaces
- Artificial Intelligence
- Definition Approaches of Artificial Intelligence
- History of Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Narrow, General and Super Intelligence
- Al Capabilities and its Sub-Technologies
- Capabilities of Artificial Intelligence
- Al Sub-Technologies
- Excursus: Machine Learning, Neural Networks and Deep Learning
- AI, ML, NN and DL in Context
- Machine Learning – Origins and Definition
- Machine Learning Types
- Neural Networks and Deep Learning
- Al Capabilities – Business Application Domains
- Use Cases of Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Intelligence and Future of Work
- Employment and Technology: From History to Today
- Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence
- Augmentation vs. Automation
- Employee Tasks
- Jobs
- Stable, new and redundant Jobs
- Classification of Jobs – Five Ways of Stepping
- New Jobs due to Al: The Missing Middle
- Employee Skills
- General Skill Changes
- Skills related to Al
- How to overcome Skill Shortages
- Pros and Cons of new Technologies and Labour Market Effects
- Empirical Research - Perceptions of SMEs in Saarland
- Methodology and Method
- Sampling Method
- Purpose, Design and Structure of the Questionnaire
- Hypotheses
- Survey Results
- General Survey and Interviewee Information
- Sample Characteristics
- Hypothesis 1
- Hypothesis 2
- Hypothesis 3
- Hypothesis 4
- Hypothesis 5
- Hypothesis 6
- Summary of Findings
- Recommendations for Companies
- Technology - Roadmap
- People Roadmap
- Conclusion and Outlook
- Conclusion
- Outlook for Future Research
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This master thesis aims to provide an overview of the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analyze its impact on jobs, related employee tasks, and skills. The empirical research examines the perceptions of AI in Saarland SMEs focusing on the actual use and their opinions on AI changing the workplace.
- Impact of AI on jobs, employee tasks, and skills
- Perceptions of AI in Saarland SMEs
- Analysis of existing evaluation models for AI implementation
- Development of a two-pillar roadmap for AI implementation in SMEs
- Contribution to the rarely discussed topic of AI in Saarland
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of Artificial Intelligence and its current relevance. It outlines the objective and research questions of the thesis, as well as the structure and methodological approach.
- Drivers and Megatrends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Future Workplaces: This chapter discusses the key drivers and megatrends shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the future of work, providing context for the impact of AI.
- Artificial Intelligence: This chapter defines and explores the concept of AI, tracing its history, different types, capabilities, and sub-technologies. It delves into Machine Learning, Neural Networks, and Deep Learning, explaining their role in AI development.
- Artificial Intelligence and Future of Work: This chapter examines the impact of AI on employment, focusing on historical trends, perceptions of AI, the distinction between augmentation and automation, and its effects on employee tasks, jobs, and skills.
- Empirical Research - Perceptions of SMEs in Saarland: This chapter details the methodology and findings of the empirical research, including the sampling method, survey results, and analysis of hypotheses. It examines the perceptions of AI among SMEs in Saarland, their understanding of AI, and their readiness for implementation.
- Recommendations for Companies: This chapter provides practical recommendations for companies based on the research findings, presenting a two-pillar roadmap for AI implementation focusing on both technology and people.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of this thesis include Artificial Intelligence, future of work, employment, employee tasks, skills, AI implementation, SMEs, perceptions, Saarland, roadmap, and evaluation models. It also explores relevant concepts such as augmentation, automation, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, and Deep Learning.
- Citation du texte
- Aline Hamm (Auteur), 2019, Future of Work. How Artificial Intelligence will impact the Future Workplace, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/506762
