Considering the latest advancements in AI models, artificial intelligence is clearly here to stay. Major technology companies are accelerating the development of this technology, driven by the prospect of widespread implementation in corporate environments.
However, a recent study conducted by Slack revealed that the rate of AI adoption among employees of U.S. companies has only slightly increased over the past year. If both companies and employees remain uninterested in integrating AI into their processes, funding for the development of AI models tailored for corporate use could be negatively impacted.
While managers are fully committed to adopting AI, employees seem less enthusiastic. According to the study, 99% of the executives surveyed plan to invest in AI-based solutions by 2025. Meanwhile, 97% agree that their companies urgently need to incorporate these AI technologies into their business processes.
The survey also included responses from 17,372 workers in various countries, including the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Among U.S. employees surveyed, only 33% reported using AI in their workflows, which represents an increase of just 1% from previous results. Additionally, the survey indicates a growth of 6% in AI adoption in the U.S. between January 2024 and March 2024.
Global AI adoption is slightly more optimistic. Globally, the growth rates of AI adoption appear more optimistic than those in the U.S. market, although they do show signs of a slowdown. In January 2023, 20% of employees worldwide were using AI. This percentage increased to 26% in January 2024 and rose sharply to 32% by March 2024. The latest figures indicate that AI adoption among employees has reached 36%.
“With so many businesses making AI investments right now, these findings are a real wakeup call to leaders,” Christina Janzer, head of Workforce Lab at Slack, said in the report.
The pace at which AI use is growing among employees. | Image: Workforce Lab
Using AI without telling management. Today, most employees have no hesitation in using a computer to complete tasks. However, the Slack study revealed that 48% of employees would feel uncomfortable admitting to their boss that they were using AI for any of the 11 common tasks included in the survey, such as writing messages, analyzing data, and coding.
Additionally, 47% of respondents felt that using AI for these tasks made them feel as if they were cheating at work, while 46% worried it might make them appear less competent or lazy in their jobs. “Leaders need to understand that this technology doesn’t just exist in a business context of ‘Can I get the job done as quickly and effectively as possible,’ but in a social context of ‘What will people think if they know I used this tool for help?’” Janzer added.
Training: the key to normalizing AI. Overall, the Slack survey indicates that employees are hesitant to leverage the potential of AI due to concerns about how their managers will perceive its use. This hesitance leads to a disparity in interest regarding the integration of AI into workflows.
One proposed solution from Workforce Lab is to enhance training and communication efforts between companies and employees. This approach aims to clearly outline company expectations and provide employees with the necessary training to use AI tools effectively.
According to Janzer, “Employees are worried that the time they save with AI will actually increase their workload–with leaders expecting them to do more work, at a faster pace. This presents an opportunity for leaders to redefine what they mean by ‘productivity,’ inspiring employees to improve the quality of their work, not just the quantity.”
Image | Rolf van Root
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