Slack has published new research that suggests that the workplace is rapidly embracing AI. The research explores how desk workers feel about how AI will change the way individuals work? Additionally, who is using AI and automation tools today and how are these tools affecting workplace productivity?
In its latest survey of more than 10,000 desk workers around the globe, including the UK, the Workforce Lab from Slack, a Salesforce company, answers these questions and quantifies new trends in AI use at work. The survey finds that workplace adoption of AI tools accelerated 47% over the previous quarter. 28% of UK desk workers reporting they have tried AI tools for work as of January 2024. This compared with 1 in 5 as of September 2023. And 1 in 3 UK desk workers have used automation tools in their job.
Key findings
- AI use in the workplace accelerated 47% in the past quarter. 28% of UK desk workers reporting they have tried AI tools for work as of January 2024. This compared with 1 in 5 as of September 2023.
- 79% of those using AI say that this technology is already improving their productivity. UK desk worker perceptions remain mixed. 41% saying they’re excited for AI and automation to handle tasks from their current job, 31% neutral and 28% concerned.
- Nearly all executives feel pressure to integrate AI tools into their organisation. With half of all executives saying they feel a high degree of urgency to incorporate AI tools.
- Desk workers at companies that have issued guidelines for how AI can be used are nearly six times more likely to have experimented with AI tools. This compared with desk workers whose companies have no guidelines around AI usage.
- UK Desk workers spent 48% on tasks – “low value, repetitive, or lack meaningful contribution to their core job functions.” This shows a clear opportunity for AI and automation tools to help desk workers refocus their energy away from “the work of work” and toward more high-value activities.
Want to accelerate AI adoption? Start by issuing guidelines for use
- A majority (81%)of UK executives feel some urgency to incorporate generative AI into their organisations. 50% of leaders reporting a high degree of urgency.
- And yet, in Slack’s survey of more than 10,000 global desk workers. 46% of respondents say they have received no guidance from their organisation on how to use AI tools at work.
- Lack of instruction may be preventing employees from experimenting with AI. Desk workers at companies that have defined AI guidelines are nearly six times more likely to have tried AI tools. This is compared with desk workers whose companies have no guidelines around AI usage. Even workers at companies whose usage guidelines limit the use of AI are more likely to have experimented with AI tools compared with workers at companies who have no guidelines around AI usage.
“The vast majority of people who are using AI and automation are already starting to experience productivity gains,” says Christina Janzer, the senior vice president of research and analytics at Slack and head of Slack’s Workforce Lab. “But the data indicates that failing to provide guidance on AI may inhibit your employees from giving it a try. If you are looking to ready your workforce for the AI revolution, you can start by providing guidelines for how AI can be used at work.”
The executive perspective: common hopes and concerns
The top benefits that executives, globally, are most looking forward to from integrating AI into business operations are:
- Increased efficiency and productivity of employees (38%)
- Data-driven decision-making (35%)
- Innovation of products and services (34%)
- Cost reductions (33%)
- Increased focus on strategy over rote tasks (27%)
- Enhanced customer experience (18%)
So what is stopping executives from fully embracing AI? Two concerns rise to the top. Data security and privacy, with more than 2 in 5 executives citing this as a significant concern.
This was followed by distrust in the accuracy and reliability of AI output.
Executives’ top concerns about AI in business operations are:
- Data security and privacy (44%)
- AI reliability and accuracy (36%)
- Lack of expertise and skill gap among staff (25%)
- Ethical and compliance issues (17%)
- Customer trust and acceptance (17%)
- Cost of implementation and maintenance (16%)
Enterprise Times: What this means for businesses
There are a number of interesting and not-too-surprising nuggets from Slack’s research. Many desk workers are enthusiastic about AI’s potential to improve their on-the-job effectiveness. Inevitably, as part of any work schedule, there will be unexcited tasks to complete which can be described as the ‘work of work.’ 41% of UK workers saying they are excited about the idea of AI handling tasks from their current job. Of those who have used AI and automation tools for work, 79% of UK workers say that this technology is already improving their productivity. The top tasks where desk workers are seeing the most value from AI today are for writing assistance, automating workflows, and summarising content. Summaries replaced research as a top value add in respondents’ current work since Slack’s September 2023 survey. Generative AI and automation is having a major impact across all aspects of work, but particularly in the actual workplace. Slack’s interesting research is just confirming that impact across the globe.
