Most UAE employees believe in robots more than humans; Oracle study

A study conducted by global IT firm Oracle shows that 84 percent of workers would prefer robots over humans to help their mental health. 

These employees agree that Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers an impartial opportunity to communicate issues and fast responses to health-related questions in a judgment-free zone.

More than three quarters (77 percent) of UAE employees would prefer to speak about stress and anxiety at work with a robot than their supervisor, a new study commissioned by the IT giant shows.

86 percent of respondents say AI has improved their mental wellbeing at work and it has also helped the majority (60 percent) of employees shorten their workweek and allowed them to take longer holidays.

Approximately two-thirds of respondents state that AI technology increases the productivity of workers, enhances work satisfaction and improves overall well-being.

The study also reveals how COVID-19 affected workers around the globe. Because of the epidemic, employees are struggling with high levels of anxiety and depression in the workplace. These staffs are also looking for more mental health assistance from their organization.

The major percentage (87 percent) of individuals agree that their business should do more to protect their workforce’s mental health. As a result of COVID-19, 54 percent of respondents noted that their businesses have added mental health resources or assistance.

In the UAE, 94 percent of workers want their business to include mental health support technology, including self-service access to health resources, on-demand therapy services, constructive wellbeing management tools (42 percent), access to fitness or meditation applications, and chatbots to answer health-related questions.

Job stress ultimately interferes with productivity, with 36 percent of individuals reporting that stress, anxiety, or depression in the workplace causes their productivity to decline and 45 percent stating that this contributes to a rise in poor decision-making.

Emily He, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud HCM said, “There is a lot that can be done to support the mental health of the global workforce and there are so many ways that technology like AI can help”.

“But first, organizations need to add mental health to their agenda. If we can get these conversations started – both at an HR and an executive-level – we can begin to make some change. And the time is now,” she further added.