In 2023, despite significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), a mere 22% of surveyed IT professionals claim a comprehensive understanding of how AI tools operate, as per recent research conducted by SolarWinds.
The study, based on responses from 267 IT professionals, underscores the potential disparity between perceptions and the actual utilization of AI tools due to this limited understanding. While 55% of the surveyed IT professionals anticipate that AI tools will simplify their tasks, and an overwhelming 90% believe their peers would embrace such technology, the majority (62%) currently refrain from incorporating AI into their daily operations.
Among those who have already integrated AI tools, the study reveals a tendency to employ them for more basic functions. The most prevalent use involves information gathering and research, with 28% utilizing AI tools for this purpose. Additionally, 18% leverage AI tools to elucidate intricate concepts to non-technical colleagues.
A subset of respondents (14%) deploys AI tools for crafting internal documents, but this figure diminishes to 9% when it comes to external document creation. Regarding more technical functionalities, only 16% of AI tool users employ them for coding, while a mere 6% utilize AI for identifying flaws and security vulnerabilities in code. This suggests that factors beyond comprehension, such as a lack of confidence in AI tools or organizational guidelines, might impede their use for more complex tasks.
Sascha Giese, SolarWinds Tech Evangelist, commented on the findings, noting the transformative potential of AI for IT professionals. Despite this awareness, he highlights the prevailing mystery surrounding AI tools, even among those in technical roles. Giese emphasizes the necessity for businesses to invest in education and training to demystify AI tools and facilitate their confident integration into daily IT operations. He advocates for transparent discussions about AI concerns and a collaborative approach between the C-suite and IT teams to expedite the adoption of these transformative tools.
