AI at Work: Between Promises of Efficiency and Time Wasting

The Growing Use of AI in the Workplace

A recent report from Gallup reveals that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at work has reached a record level in the United States, with 50% of employees reporting that they use it. This figure marks an increase from 46% in the previous quarter, representing the highest usage rate ever recorded by the polling company.

Among these users, 13% claim to use AI daily, a slight increase from 12% in the previous quarter. Additionally, those who use it a few times a week have risen to 28%, up from 26% previously. This survey, conducted in February among over 23,700 American employees, highlights a growing adoption of AI that is reshaping organizational structures.

The Gap Between Integration and Adoption

The study reveals a significant gap between employers' integration of AI and employees' adoption of it. Indeed, 41% of respondents indicate that their company has begun integrating AI to improve organizational efficiency. However, only 28% of employees use it at least weekly. Gallup describes this phenomenon as the "integration-adoption gap," emphasizing that employers' adoption of AI does not automatically translate into widespread use by employees.

Meanwhile, although 41% of employees are aware of their company's AI integration efforts, only 26% have a clear understanding of the roadmap for its integration into current practices. This communication gap between management and employees could limit the productivity gains that AI is supposed to bring.

Structural Changes Within Companies

Companies that have integrated AI have often experienced internal restructuring. Among employees in these companies, 27% have observed significant changes in the number of employees, compared to 17% in companies that have not adopted AI. These changes include both hiring and layoffs.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly affected. In organizations with 25 to 499 employees using AI, 39% have hired more staff, while 17% have laid off more personnel, compared to 32% and 14%, respectively, in non-AI-using companies.

Impact of AI on Daily Workflows

Although AI is perceived as a tool that enhances productivity, its impact on workflows remains limited. Only 12% of employees believe that AI has transformed the way they work. It improves existing processes without fundamentally redefining them.

A study by WalkMe highlights that the use of AI leads to significant time loss. Employees spend an average of 7.9 hours per week managing these tools, which amounts to 51 workdays per year. These time losses are attributed to tasks such as transferring data between tools or rephrasing queries to achieve desired results. The authors of this report estimate that employees lose a full day of work each week due to friction, not because of actual work, but due to managing the tools that are supposed to help them work.