According to Barracuda’s global MSP report, 87% of MSPs feel the need to improve their knowledge and application of AI products and services to meet customer needs. IT service providers anticipate that 44% of their revenue will come from recurring managed services in 2024, up from 34% in 2023. They plan to introduce an average of six new services, primarily security-related. The report also revealed that 77% of MSPs feel under pressure to provide AI insights and tools to their customers. Furthermore, 92% believe cloud marketplaces will be critical in their organizations.
New research from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab suggests that the impact of AI on the labor market will likely be slower than previously feared. The study found that only about 23% of jobs identified as vulnerable to AI would be cost-effective to automate now. The findings indicate that job disruption from AI will unfold gradually, providing policymakers with time to prepare and mitigate its impacts.
According to a Slack report, CIOs using AI to accelerate workflows risk increasing busy work if employees lack guidance. The report suggests that if AI lightens employees’ workload, they are more likely to spend time on administrative tasks instead of high-value work. To maximize productivity, organizations must focus on outcomes and provide training for employees to gain new skills in AI. Leaders should prioritize tasks and adjust how they view and talk about productivity, emphasizing quality over quantity.
Why do we care?
The picture that is taking shape is of a world of AI as a tool, coming on slower than the hype suggested, and where training maximizes the value. Shocking, it’s like most technology introductions.
That’s not a bad thing. MSPs should feel pressure to provide insights and tools to their customers. That is literally your job. 100%. That’s your job. And note that the primary focus remains introducing security services. A see a mismatch between customer wants and solutions being offered.