Most employees are now using artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work, but companies are missing out on significant productivity gains due to insufficient training, fragile organisational cultures and a lack of talent strategy, according to new global research.
Adoption gap
The survey of 15,000 employees and 1,500 employers across 29 countries found that 88% of staff reported using AI at work. However, most usage is confined to basic tasks such as online searches or summarising documents. Only 5% of employees use AI in advanced ways that fundamentally change working practices.
The research points to a disconnect between widespread adoption of AI technology and human readiness to use it effectively. The survey found that companies risk missing out on up to 40% of potential productivity gains due to gaps in talent strategy and weak foundations for integrating new tools.
Training shortfall
Few employees feel adequately supported in learning how to make the most of AI. Only 12% of respondents indicated they are receiving sufficient AI-related training to unlock the full benefits available. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds (64%) of employees reported increased workloads over the past year.
Concerns about AI are also evident. Just over a third (37%) voiced fears that overreliance on the technology could erode their own skills and expertise. Despite efforts by employers to provide internal AI tools, shadow AI remains prevalent: between 23% and 58% of workers across different sectors admitted to bringing their own AI solutions into the workplace.
Leadership importance
The report suggests that strong leadership alignment is a critical factor for extracting greater value from AI investments. In organisations that have adopted AI successfully, three-quarters (75%) of employees said their leaders were united behind a clear vision for AI.