AI usage remains low despite corporate push for adoption
- Daily usage of AI among employees has increased from 4% to 8% within a year.
- Despite high organizational investment in AI, many employees lack training and understanding of AI tools.
- To drive adoption, companies need to focus on addressing employee fears and providing necessary support.
In the past 12 months, there has been a notable increase in the daily use of artificial intelligence (AI) among employees, rising from 4% to 8%. This shift reflects growing corporate interest and investment in AI technology; however, it highlights a significant challenge that organizations face: driving employee adoption of these tools. Despite 78% of organizations integrating AI into at least one business function, the McKinsey report indicates that many employees are still reluctant to adopt AI practices in their work environments, with only 17% claiming to use AI tools daily. The majority of employees, 27%, reported never intentionally using AI at work, indicating that while companies have adopted AI tools, their employees have not fully embraced them. More troubling is the fact that 58% of surveyed employees were unaware of any form of AI training or education available to them. This discrepancy raises concerns about the efficacy of AI technology implementation, as many organizations push for adoption without equipping their workforce with the necessary knowledge or confidence. Companies such as Microsoft have recognized this challenge and are taking steps to address it. Microsoft has made AI usage a requirement for performance evaluations, demonstrating an intent to prioritize AI tool adoption within their workforce. Meanwhile, Moderna's Chief Information Officer, Brad Miller, emphasizes the importance of developing mechanisms to enable workforce transformation and effectively encourage the use of generative AI. The current landscape around AI use also ties into broader societal sentiment towards the technology. According to a recent Fox News poll, 43% of respondents believe AI is beneficial for society, with an increase in positive sentiment since April 2023. However, skepticism remains prevalent; only 11% of voters use AI platforms daily, illustrating a disconnect between corporate enthusiasm for AI and individual adoption. Overall, while some progress is being made towards AI integration in workplaces, employees still require support, training, and a clearer understanding of AI's benefits and applications in order to fully leverage the technology.