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Freelancer : Generative AI Is Boosting Freelancers Pay, Finds Global Survey
Freelancer : Generative AI Is Boosting Freelancers Pay, Finds Global
About this update from Freelancer Ltd.
Press release Generative AI Is Boosting Freelancers Pay, Finds Global Survey Freelancer.com surveyed over 4,300 freelancers, fnding workers are earning and learning more with AI despite concerns over jobs Sydney, Australia - 17 December 2024 - Freelancer.com , the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, today published a comprehensive research revealing how freelancers are using generative artifcial intelligence (AI) for their work and the impact on their income. AI is changing the way people work and businesses operate. Contrary to fears of job loss, the introduction of AI tooling is having a positive impact on both productivity and earnings. In a global survey with over 4,360 freelancers, Freelancer.com discovered that a majority of freelancers (73%) are using generative AI tools in their work. Over one quarter of freelancers (27%) are using generative AI tools only sometimes in their work, while one ffth (20%) admit to using AI all of the time according to the data. Only a small amount (12%) of freelancers admit to never using AI tools for their work. In terms of changes in earnings, half (50%) of freelancers report earning more money on projects since the introduction of AI tooling, while over one quarter (27%) are earning the same as they did before generative AI. This increase in earnings is due to increased productivity, efciency and automation of work. "While there's a lot of concern that AI will take over jobs and cause freelancers to earn less, our latest survey data shows otherwise. Most freelancers report either earning the same or more than before the introduction of AI tooling, meaning they're becoming much more productive and efcient in their work. Freelancer's are also quite optimistic about taking advantage of the new tooling, revealing how they are upskilling in various areas such as writing, photography and prompt engineering to help refne their craft. We expect to see more freelancers and businesses using generative AI tools in the near future," said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive of Freelancer.com . Most Popular Generative AI Tools Consistent with the results from the generative AI survey in 2023 , ChatGPT is still the most popular AI tool with about one in three (31%) of freelancers using it as their primary tool. Meta AI is another preferred AI tool being used by only a small portion (14%) of freelancers and Google Gemini, used by 12% of freelancers. Learning New Skills With the introduction of generative AI and the new tools it comes with, freelancers need to learn how to apply these tools to their work. The number one new AI skill freelancers are focusing on is Writing, with one in three (34%) learning and refning their writing skills. This is not surprising considering that Chat GPT, a writing platform, is the top AI tool being used by freelancers. Design or Photography Skills are also being learned, with about one in fve (19%) of freelancers taking up both this and Data Processing & Analysis (16%). Automation According to the survey, results for the percentage of work being automated by AI are all fairly split. On one hand, one in fve (19%) freelancers are using AI to automate a small portion (1-9%) of their work. On the other hand, another one in fve freelancers are using AI to generate more than half (50-74%) of their work. The survey also found that one in six (16%) freelancers use AI to generate less than half (25-49%) of their work and another one in six (15%) use AI to generate 10 - 24% of their work. Attitudes about AI When asked about the concerns of AI taking over jobs, less than half (46%) of respondents said they were very concerned about being replaced by AI. This is followed by somewhat concerned (34%) and not concerned (20%). With big changes in AI and technology comes many opportunities and chances to grow. It is important for freelancers to embrace this change and use it to their advantage. When asked about how AI is changing the way they work, more than a quarter of freelancers said AI is making them more productive (29%), giving them new opportunities (29%), and improving the accuracy of their work (27%). Attitudes across generations Generation Alpha A majority of freelancers (80%) are using AI for their work. This generation uses AI tools the most. One in fve freelancers (21%) are using AI for a small portion (1-9%) of their work Over half (52%) of freelancers are very concerned about AI taking over their job, one in three (34%) are somewhat concerned, and a small amount (14%) are not concerned about it One in three (28%) freelancers are earning more than they did before AI, and one in fve (26%) are earning the same amount Generation Z A majority (76%) of freelancers are using AI for their work One in fve (21%) freelancers use AI for more than half (50-74%) of their work About half (49%) of freelancers are very concerned about AI taking their job One in four (26%) of freelancers are earning more with AI, one in four (24%) are earning same as they did before AI, and one in fve (20%) are earning a lot more Millennial Majority (66%) of freelancers are using AI tools for their work About one in fve (22%) freelancers use AI for a small portions (1-9%) of tasks Less than half (44%) of freelancers are very concerned about AI taking their job Over one fourth (27%) of freelancers are earning same as they did before AI, one in four (25%) are earning more, and one in fve (20%) are earning a lot more Generation X Majority (66%) of freelancers use AI tools for their work One in four (24%) freelancers use AI for a small portion (1-9%) of their tasks Less than half (37%) of freelancers are somewhat concerned with AI taking their jobs Almost half (42%) of freelancers are earning the same as they did before AI, one in fve (19%) are earning more, and a small portion (18%) are earning less Baby Boomers II Majority (67%) of freelancers use AI tools in their work One in three (33%) freelancers use AI for a small portion (1-9%) of tasks Over half (53%) of freelancers are not concerned about AI taking their jobs. This generation is the least concerned about AI. Over half (55%) of freelancers are earning the same as before AI, one in fve (21%) are earning more, and a small portion (12%) are earning a lot more Baby Boomers I Over half (61%) of freelancers are using AI tools for their work. This generation uses AI tools the least. One in fve (20%) use AI very often for their work, while another one in fve (20%) never use it One in four (25%) use AI for a small portion (1-9%) of their work, while another one in four (25%) use it for less than half (25-49%) of their work Less than half (45%) of freelancers are not concerned that AI is taking their jobs Around one in three (30%) of freelancers are earning more than they did before AI, one in four (25%) are earning the same, and another one in four (25%) earning a lot less ###### Methodology The survey conducted by Freelancer.com aimed to gather insights on the utilization and opinion of generative artifcial intelligence (AI) tools in the workplace among freelancers and employers globally. Between August and October 2024, a total of 4,363 individuals were surveyed for this study. Freelancers and employers disclosed their age range, geographic location, and occupation status before completing the survey. The participants were drawn from Freelancer.com 's extensive network of freelancers and employers across all regions and countries available on Freelancer.com. About Freelancer.com Freelancer.com is the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 70 million registered users have posted over 23 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer also owns Escrow.com and Freightlancer & Loadshift. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN and is quoted on OTCQX Best Market under the ticker FLNCF. For more information, contact: Press Inquiries [email protected] Marko Zitko Director of Marketing & Communications +1 (650) 800-6863 +61 404 574 830 [email protected]