AI is changing workplaces in Slovakia

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a normal part of working life. The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) survey surveyed 5 342 employees in 11 EU countries in 2024, including Slovakia.

AI use in workplaces across Europe

Already in 2022, artificial intelligence was unknown to ordinary employees. In the first half of 2024, more than a quarter (28%) of those surveyed reported using AI tools in their workplace – either by themselves or by their colleagues. AI use is significantly more prevalent in Western Europe, namely in countries such as Belgium, Germany, France or Luxembourg, than in Southern Europe (e.g. Greece, Spain, Portugal). The results of Slovakia roughly follow the average of the EU countries participating in the survey.

Impact of AI on industries and work tasks

According to CEDEFOP, automation poses the greatest threat to workers in routine, less stable and medium-skilled positions. The highest risk sectors include administrative and support services, financial and insurance services, wholesale and retail trade, agriculture and manufacturing. Conversely, sectors such as education, transport and hospitality are so far less exposed to the risk of automation.

AI significantly affects work processes. Sixty-seven percent of employees surveyed said they performed some tasks faster than before thanks to AI. In addition, 30% of workers said that AI completely replaced some of their previous tasks.

High concerns in Slovakia

Slovakia is one of the countries where fears of losing a job due to AI are above average. Up to 19% of Slovak employees are concerned that they may lose their jobs in the next five years due to automation and artificial intelligence. Employees are most afraid of losing their jobs in Greece, where concerns are as high as 24%. The average of the countries surveyed was less than 15%. The lowest level of concern is in the Czech Republic (7%). This confirms the different way in which technologies are adopted – the Czech Republic is a good example for Slovakia in this regard. In the international ICILS 2023 study, which assesses how eighth graders can work with digital technologies and information, Czech pupils scored the second highest score among all countries (525 points). This is not only higher than the EU average (493 points), but also higher than Slovakia (499 points).

Slovakia is in the middle of the ranking of countries in terms of the increase in the use of AI. 35% of Slovak employees who use AI said they used it more time than a year ago. This is higher than in Spain (26%), Greece (31%) or Poland (31%), but still lags behind Belgium (49%) or France (45%) or Germany (43%). This trend suggests that although AI is gradually becoming established in Slovak workplaces, the pace of its adoption is still lagging behind some Western European countries. The average of the EU countries surveyed was 37%, and for curiosity neighboring Czechia recorded 36% in the year-on-year increase in the time of use of AI by employees.

How to manage the onset of AI in your work

The survey found that in Slovakia, 39 % of employees perceived the need to further develop their skills in the use of AI tools at work. Nevertheless, in the previous 12 months, only 12% of Slovak workers participated in training or educational activities in this field. Therefore, CEDEFOP recommends investing systematically in education and AI literacy and actively supporting the development of AI skills across all levels of employees.

In Slovakia, the Digital Coalition helps employees manage changes due to automation and AI. As part of the Digital Counselor project , you can ask AI if the changes are also threatening your profession in Slovakia here. Are you one of the employees affected by these changes? If so, and you want advice on how to fulfil your potential in the AI era, register today and get free access to the world-renowned SHL personality tests and professional career guidance here.

Author of the article: Miloš Moravčík