A growing number of workers are embracing the use of AI tools in the workplace, but many still aren’t quite sure how it can effectively benefit them, new research has found.
A study by Slack found that workers are warming up slightly to AI in the office, especially when it comes to increasing productivity and efficiency, but there still seems to be a ways to go.
In fact, many workers simply want to use AI to offload some of their most tedious and tedious tasks, freeing them to focus on more creative or enriching work, the study found.
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Findings from Slack’s Workforce Lab, which surveyed more than 10,000 workers around the world, uncovered some significant differences in opinions between seniority levels when it comes to using AI.
It found that the majority of executives (96%) felt an urgency to incorporate AI into business operations as soon as possible, with this number rising from 5% of all executives to 35% “in the next 18 months” – a 7-fold increase from September 2023.
“Companies have immediate, ambitious goals for AI in the enterprise, and our research shows that there are huge productivity gains to be made — but many leaders are still figuring out how to kickstart adoption among employees,” says Dennis Dresser, CEO of Slack.
“While this is truly a seismic shift in the future of work, there are simple steps every business can take today to help employees onboard AI while maintaining trust.”
When it comes to desk workers, AI is playing a more prominent role with 23% usage from the January 2024 survey and 60% from September 2023.
Almost all (81%) workers said AI tools are helping to improve productivity, and just under half (47%) of desk workers said they would be happy for AI to handle tasks from their jobs (up from 42% in early 2024). in comparison.
Many desk workers are also experiencing burnout, with the study finding that nearly a third of workers say they are regularly stressed, and 30% say they don’t feel passionate about their jobs.
As many have to prioritize admin tasks over real high-value work, the potential for AI to step in and relieve this pressure is warmly embraced by many workers, the survey notes.
“We’re at a critical juncture with AI. If we want to make the most of what AI can offer without simply increasing stress and burnout, it’s up to us to equip our teams with tools they can trust and empower employees. can help drive. That extra time in the most rewarding work,” said Christina Janzer, head of Slack Workforce Labs.