The top concern for the future among workers is the unethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) for things such as discrimination or privacy breaches, according to new research.
The Ethics at Work: 2024 International Survey of Employees was conducted by the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) in conjunction with the Compliance Institute in Ireland.
Among those worried about the misuse of AI for unethical purposes, one-quarter of respondents reported being 'extremely concerned' about its potential for malevolent behaviour.
The study found that AI replacing human jobs, and increased workplace surveillance and monitoring, were also among the top concerns among workers.
Almost half of respondents in Ireland said they believe that ethical behaviour in their organisation has improved since the Covid pandemic, matching levels from 2021 and above the global average of 45%.
The study found that women are more likely to perceive a decline in ethical behaviour within their organisations since the pandemic, with one in 10 expressing this concern.
More than one third of respondents highlighted concerns over the reduction of interpersonal interactions due to the rise of hybrid working.
"The rise of AI brings opportunities and challenges, and it's clear that employees are acutely aware of its potential for misuse," said Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute.
"With half of employees expressing concerns about AI being used unethically - such as privacy breaches or discrimination - there is a clear need for organisations to establish and implement robust ethical guidelines and governance around AI technologies.
"This is essential not only for protecting employee rights but also for making sure that technological advancements reflect the values and expectations of the workforce," Mr Kavanagh said.
The Ethics at Work: 2024 International Survey of Employees polled 12,000 workers in 16 countries. 750 of those surveyed were in Ireland.
The poll was conducted by market research agency Yonder Consulting on behalf of the Institute of Business Ethics.
