Three in ten workers are using AI every day at work

Three in ten workers are using AI on a daily basis (21% multiple times a day, 8% once a day). Another 34% use it occasionally (a few times a week or less often), and 37% never use AI at work. 

How workers are using AI also differs: while research and gathering information is the leading use case overall among those who have ever used AI (56%), daily users are going beyond basic research:

Why workers hesitate on using AI depends on whether or not they use AI at all:

Workers feel more productive and self-confident due to AI, and show no signs of overreliance

The benefits of using AI are real. Among AI users:

Despite such benefits, workers are not leaning on AI as a crutch: only 6% of AI users say they go to AI first when encountering a task. Most (58%) try to figure things out first before going to AI, and 30% do not use AI for problem-solving at all.

One in four workers who use AI have redirected a colleague to ask AI before coming to them

Workers are also using AI to supplement their work with colleagues, with one in four (23%) users of AI (34% for daily users) admitting to redirecting a colleague toward AI before providing their consultation. The main reasons include: (among AI users)

Most companies still don’t have official AI policy

Few workplaces have a hardline stance with AI, with most employers not adopting any official AI usage policy (55%) or allowing AI usage to be optional (34%). Only 6% work at a company where AI is required, and 5% work at a company where AI is completely prohibited. 

Workers are split on split on junior-level AI use: 35% believe junior level workers should be prohibited from using AI at all

When it comes to AI usage for junior-level workers, opinions are split between whether they should be prohibited from using AI, or using AI with guided policies

The AI job security gap: how AI impacts perceived job security depends on how much workers use it

Workers who use AI on a daily basis are the only group who feel a net positive about the impact of AI on their current job security: 27% say their job feels more secure due to AI, compared to 22% who feel less secure.

This pattern also holds for overall sentiment about the impact of AI on the job market:

AI is reshaping career plans, from skill development to target industries, companies, and jobs

Nearly one in four workers (23%) have changed (10%) or considered changing (13%) their target industry due to AI, rising to 31% for students or workers currently enrolled in school

Among those who have changed or considered changing industries due to AI, the most common destinations are technology, media, and telecommunications (23%) and healthcare, education, and social assistance jobs (22%).

AI-resistant career paths are attracting a substantial percentage of workers: one in five (20%) workers are considering switching to a trade job or manual labor profession due to AI.

Students (and workers) are split on AI has impacted the value of a college degree:

Addressing this gap also attracts varying sentiment toward mandatory training in schools.