AI Countdown: New Report Shows Most Expect Transformational Impact Before 2028

Where do you see yourself in five years? According to a new report from Thomson Reuters, most professionals see themselves in a work world upended by AI.   

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has already become a pivotal force that is expected to completely alter the future of work. A recent deep dive report by Thomson Reuters, titled “Future of Professionals,” has revealed in more detail how AI is poised to reshape professional services on a global scale. 

Reuters explored the intersection of macro-trends, talent dynamics, and evolving customer needs, all under the overarching theme of AI and automation. Surveying more than 1,200 professionals from fields like legal, tax & accounting, global trade, risk management, and compliance, the study paints a picture of a workforce on the cusp of major technological change.  

According to the report, 67% of those surveyed believe AI will have a transformative impact on their profession within the next five years, and 66% believe AI will carve out entirely new career paths.  

Thomson Reuters’ CEO Steve Hasker expressed in the report that unlike past innovations that seamlessly blended into work routines, generative AI is a standout innovation challenging conventional wisdom. 

 “Many of the innovations we use today have crept on us, evolved, and gradually changed the way we work and play. But not generative AI – this is different,” Hasker said in the report. 

Nearly half of the respondents (45%) are optimistic about AI enhancing productivity, efficiency, and client services. The survey found that, in this AI-augmented future, 67% prioritize delivering top-tier advice, revealing a need for professionals to modify their advisory roles and business strategies. 

The expectation of an AI-driven future isn’t without apprehensions. Respondent’s concerns about the technology range from worries on the AI’s accuracy (25%), potential for job displacements (19%), and fears about the very survival of certain professions (17%). Ethical dilemmas and data security also weigh heavily on professionals’ minds, according to the data.  

Industry-specific insights reveal diverse anticipations. Legal professionals, for instance, see AI as a catalyst for efficiency, while those in tax & accounting view it as a means to add more value to clients. Conversely, government professionals, though optimistic about AI’s potential in areas like training, recruitment, and well-being, remain cautious due to data security concerns. 

The integration of AI into company workflows is both an opportunity and a challenge. The next several years will bring a symbiosis of employee expertise and AI capabilities, reimagining the core of how workers deliver professional services.