According to a new report by Microsoft and LinkedIn, generative artificial intelligence is becoming more prevalent in workplaces and is being embraced by overwhelmed employees for increased productivity. The report found that three in four workers are using AI at work, with 46% starting to use it within the last six months. The majority of employees reported that AI saves them time, boosts creativity, and allows them to focus on other tasks. The report also highlighted that 78% of employees are bringing in their own AI tools to the office, showing a shift towards using AI in the workplace.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that AI is democratizing expertise across the workforce, allowing organizations to make better decisions and improve collaboration for better business outcomes. The research, which surveyed 31,000 people across 31 countries, also revealed that a significant driver for employees using AI tools is the struggle to keep up with their workload, with 68% of respondents reporting this challenge. Additionally, 48% of workers stated that they feel burned out from their workload, further highlighting the need for AI assistance.
Despite the benefits of using AI at work, there are concerns among employees and employers. More than half of surveyed workers expressed worries about using AI for important tasks making them replaceable, and many were reluctant to disclose their use of AI. On the other hand, 79% of business leaders recognized the importance of adopting AI to stay competitive, but many reported concerns about quantifying productivity gains and implementing AI effectively. However, the survey found that a majority of business leaders are willing to hire candidates with AI skills, indicating the increasing demand for AI knowledge in the workforce.
Overall, the findings suggest a growing acceptance and integration of generative AI in the workplace, despite some reservations. Employees are seeing the benefits of AI in terms of time-saving and increased creativity, while employers are recognizing the importance of AI skills in staying competitive. As the use of AI continues to expand, organizations are encouraged to develop strategies and plans for effectively implementing AI to drive better decision-making and collaboration within their teams.