According to a study by Freelancer.com, 73% of freelancers are incorporating AI into their workflow to survive change. 35% automate 1-25% of their tasks using AI. Among the most used tools, 64% use ChatGPT, followed by Bard, Bing Chat and Github Copilot.
Freelancers adapt quickly and not only survive in the dynamic gig economy. Freelancer.com’s recent survey highlights this adaptability. It’s no longer just about finding contracts, but also about seeing artificial intelligence (AI) become an essential part of their toolbox.
Of the 8,100 freelancers surveyed worldwide, 73% are integrating generative AI into their workflow. However, this is not the case for everyone. About 31% are occasional explorers who use AI when necessary, while 21% are die-hards who use AI consistently. A small group, around 14%, has not yet jumped on the AI bandwagon.
The tools of choice? ChatGPT is leading the way. It is used by 64% of freelancers worldwide. This is followed by Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing Chat, Github Copilot and visual AI tools such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion and Dall-E. This variety of tools reflects a broader trend: freelancers are no longer just writers or illustrators. They become editors, directors – roles that require a broader vision.
Matt Barrie, CEO of Freelancer.com, isn’t surprised. He sees freelancers as pioneers who are using AI to redesign their roles and workflows. His vision? A near future where AI integration is the norm, not the exception, in every company and workplace.
But what about automation? How much freelance work is driven by AI? The survey shows that more than a third of freelancers use AI to complete 1-25% of their tasks. The following levels: 25-50% and 50-75% are each 16%. A remarkably small percentage of 9% automate 90-100% of their work using AI.
Beneath these numbers is a mix of excitement and concern. Less than half of respondents (48%) say they are very worried about AI replacing them. The others are either a little worried or not at all. Freelancers are optimistic about the future. About 28% of them see new opportunities, 20% expect an increase in productivity and 19% expect an improvement in the precision of their work.
The current survey from Freelancer.com shows interesting regional differences in the acceptance and perception of AI tools among freelancers. In the United States, 75% of freelancers are integrating AI into their work, a slightly higher rate than the 71% observed in Europe. When it comes to the frequency of use of these tools, the contrast becomes clearer: in the United States, a third of freelancers (33%) use AI tools constantly, while in Europe the proportion is significantly lower, with only 17% using AI consistently her work.
The preference for certain AI tools also varies depending on the region. In Asia Pacific, 82% of freelancers use ChatGPT, compared to 77% in Latin America, indicating a strong but slightly fluctuating preference for the tool. Perhaps the most striking regional difference is attitudes toward AI’s potential to replace jobs. In the United States, 58% of freelancers say they are very worried about AI replacing their jobs. In contrast, European freelancers appear to be less worried: less than a third (29%) express a high level of concern. These statistics highlight not only the growing influence of AI in the freelancing world, but also how its impact and reception can vary greatly by region.
This survey is about more than just numbers; It offers a glimpse into a changing world where freelancers use AI as skillfully as artists use pens or brushes. They don’t just ride the crest of change, they lead it and shape their careers and the nature of freelancing.
Source: Freelancer.com
And you ?
Do you think this study is credible or relevant?
What is your opinion on this topic?
See also:
After the introduction of ChatGPT, freelancers earn less and the number of jobs decreases, resulting in a 5.2% drop in income, according to a study
AI capabilities can increase salaries by 40%. According to a study by researchers, complementarity is a key factor in the economic value of a capability
How do you survive AI? Microsoft releases a list of skills needed for human employees in 2023. The company says AI will create more jobs than it replaces