South Yorkshire businesses are being canvassed for their thoughts on artificial intelligence, and the implications they anticipate it will have for them via a new survey that is being conducted by the regional Chambers of Commerce.
The Artificial Intelligence Survey is open from now until Monday 11 March and gives respondents a chance to articulate their views on different aspects of this hot-button topic.
"We truly are on the cusp of another industrial revolution in this sense, so it’s imperative that places like South Yorkshire do not get left behind."
Among other things, it will ask whether they perceive AI to be a promising opportunity or a looming threat, if they have the skills in-house to properly utilise said technology, how well-positioned they are when compared to their competitors in this respect and if they expect the latest developments to have any effect on the number of people they employ.
Equipped with the findings from this poll, the South Yorkshire Chambers will then be able to more authentically represent and support the local business community when it comes to these matters. The results will be used to lobby for change that ensures the region is better prepared for the rise of AI.
Feeding into the nationwide Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), the online form also has a number of standardised sections pertaining to the economy at large and general business conditions, including topics such as workforce levels, recruitment difficulties and cost pressures.
Encouraging businesses to participate in the Survey, the Chief Execs for all three South Yorkshire Chambers issued a joint statement, saying: “AI is only increasing in prominence right now and its potential applications are spanning all industries. No sector will be untouched by these rapid developments and, though it goes without saying, we have to acknowledge that things are fundamentally going to change for businesses.
“We want South Yorkshire to be at the very forefront of this emerging sector and the insights gleaned from this survey will be invaluable in getting us there."
“We truly are on the cusp of another industrial revolution in this sense, so it’s imperative that places like South Yorkshire do not get left behind. That’s why we are running this timely survey, to try and gauge how organisations really feel about the emergence of AI, the opportunities it represents for them, as well as the associated concerns they might have.
“We want South Yorkshire to be at the very forefront of this emerging sector and the insights gleaned from this survey will be invaluable in getting us there. As is always the case, it will help us to better amplify the voice of local business owners, to authentically represent them on a national stage and to advocate for meaningful change of their behalf. With that said, we are urging organisations to spare just a few minutes here to have their say here, as every last response counts.”
Conducted by the three South Yorkshire Chambers, the Artificial Intelligence Survey is sponsored by ProAktive and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)
If you wish to have your thoughts heard and partake in the survey, click here.
