The younger employees, especially those between 18 and 29, are more likely than older workers to use AI in a covert manner, with 55 per cent admitting this. More than a quarter of employees in this age range (26%) said that they had used AI covertly “many times”. Only 14 percent of employees aged over 60 admitted to similar behavior.
The AI at Work report by The Access Group highlights the transformative effect of generative AI at work. The survey found that 59 percent of workers reported reduced stress using AI tools.
The Rise of Generative AI at Work
The survey included 1,134 employees in 12 industries. It found that AI adoption was highest in the finance sector (68%) and technology sector (74%). Health, social care and the public sectors are also catching up. 45 percent of their workers report using AI tools.
AI is also seen as a catalyst for improved work quality. In all industries, 82% of respondents said that AI helped them achieve better results. AI adoption is not without its challenges. Data security is one of the most important concerns, and nearly half of respondents consider it a major issue.
Dr Phil Parker, an expert in health and happiness, stated that AI could give us more time for leisure, handle annoying mundane tasks, or allow teams to connect with each other more on a human level.
“AI could be a blessing for people who suffer from anxiety or are neurodiverse. It can take on tasks that are too overwhelming for us, and it is easily trainable to meet our different needs. It can be tailored to best communicate with us, and research shows, it does not have the judgment or opinions of humans.
AI will feature in all of our futures. Open and effective communication can help employers make their staff feel like they are part of the future by educating them about the changes and benefits that these advancements will bring.
The gender and generational gaps in AI Confidence
The confidence in using AI tools differs by gender as well as generational lines. Men are twice as likely to rate their AI-confidence as 10 out 10 as women (2 percent vs. 4 percent). In contrast, only 2.4 percent men and 3.3 percent women rate their AI confidence as the lowest (1 out of 10) level.
The generational divide was also pronounced. Gen-Z employees (18-24 years) rated themselves at 11 percent as being highly confident in AI. This is almost twice the 6 percent of Gen-X workers (45-59 year olds). The confidence level dropped even further for employees aged over 60. Only 2 percent rated themselves highly competent.
Over half (55%) of respondents reported time savings due to automation of repetitive tasks, such as data analysis and Customer Support. Also, 42 percent of respondents believe AI saves money for their organisation.
Organisations will have to address the potential benefits of generative AI while also addressing any gaps in understanding, confidence and security.
Marko Perisic said that the research “underscores our belief that employees view AI not only as a tool, but as a life-changing technology, enabling them shift their focus on more meaningful, human centered tasks.” AI automates routine and administrative tasks, freeing up employees’ time to focus on creative and strategic tasks, which fosters both personal fulfillment and workplace innovation.
The integration of AI is a game changer because it improves workflows and efficiency. It also reduces the risk of being left behind in a constantly evolving tech landscape. These findings show that AI is changing not only how we work but also what we can accomplish.
