1 in 3 workers are using AI multiple times a week — and they’re screaming about it

New Research from Slack’s Workforce Lab Proposal to increase the number of workers employed artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity. However, while some employees adopt AI, others risk falling behind.

The survey reported that AI use among desk workers increased by 23% from January 2024 and 60% from September 2023. The study found that 81% Workers using AI are more productive.

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However, the survey also found that some potential AI advocates are still on the sidelines. For example, 16% of workers are AI enthusiasts, meaning they are excited and admire the advances being made in AI but are not yet ready to take full advantage of the emerging technology at work.

Other key information from the survey includes:

• Executive urgency to put AI tools into business operations has increased sevenfold since January 2024 and is now the top concern, surpassing inflation or the economy as a whole.
• 73% of office workers think the hype around AI is well-founded and technology “will have a big impact.” Those who have used AI tools are even more confident.
• Enthusiasm is developing and 47% of global office workers now express interest in using AI to solve work problems (compared to 42% at the beginning of the year).
• Desire to use AI in work varies by age and gender“The youngest workers show the most enthusiasm for AI, with 55% of workers aged 18 to 29 saying they are excited about AI and automation handling some part of their jobs, compared to 33% of workers over 60,” the survey explains.

Slack’s research, which included interviews and surveys of 5,000 full-time office workers, uncovered five distinct AI personalities that employers need to understand when implementing AI and hiring employees.

The study notes that the “AI Team” would include a workplace where humans and agents work together.

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Here are five traits employees exhibit when using AI at work:

1. Maximalists (30%): Maximalists use AI multiple times a week to improve their work and shout about it from the rooftops. Maximalists are strong users and advocates of AI — 65% say their use of AI actively encourages others to use the technology. Their number one motivation for Using AI is to create higher quality work. Nearly half of maximalists said the use of AI is actively encouraged at their company, regardless of whether there are guidelines for its use.
2. Underground (20%): Undergrounders are disguised maximalists who frequently use AI but are reluctant to share with their colleagues that they do so. More than half (55%) of the Underground population uses AI at least a few times a week, and nearly three-quarters (74%) do not actively share their use or encourage others to use AI. Why not share? That’s because 43% say Their company discourages the use of AI in their work..
3. Rebel (19%): Rebels don’t subscribe to the hype around AI. They avoid using AI and consider it unfair for their colleagues to use these tools. Most rebels (66%) have never used AI at work, and 58% believe that AI threatens societyRebels who hold this mindset will likely have to look for new jobs.
4. Super Fan (16%): Superfans are excited and admire advances in AI, but have yet to fully utilize the technology at work. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of superfans use AI at least once a month. Most admire their coworkers apply AI to their work in innovative ways.
5. Observer (16%): Observers have yet to integrate AI into their work. They are watching with interest and caution. This demographic is largely indifferent (66%) about AI in the workplace. One-third are concerned about learn or develop additional AI skills. Companies can take proactive steps to inspire the one in five workers to become AI advocates. The real enemy of progress is apathy.

Slack’s survey found that training is important. Employees who are trained in AI are seven times more likely to trust AI tools to help them with work-related tasks and 19 times more likely to report that AI improves productivity.

Companies must focus on building their AI teams by invest more in AI training. Rebels and observers make up nearly a third of modern workers. Employees with these personalities risk being left behind if they continue to hold such attitudes toward the adoption of AI in the workplace.