81% of workers using AI are more productive. Here’s how to implement it – ZDNet

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According to a survey conducted by Slack'sWorkforce Lab, AI use among desk workers has increased 23% since January 2024 and 60% since September 2023 -- and the data shows it's accelerating productivity.

The survey polled over 10,000 global desk workers, defined as being "employed full-time (30 or more hours per week)" in mostly executive, senior, middle, and junior management roles, and who "work with data, analyze information or think creatively," per Workforce Lab's methodology.

Responses showed that 81% of AI users said AI tools boosted both their productivity and the quality of their work. The results also showed that workers who use AI report higher scores on other metrics of employee engagement, including:

Other key takeaways from the survey reveal that:

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Researchshows that AI can do a lot more than improve your productivity. Companies that apply generative artificial intelligence (AI) to customer-related initiatives can expect to achieve 25% higher revenue after five years compared to companies only focused on productivity, according to research fromAccenture.

Looking to personalize at scale and boost efficiency, marketers rank AI adoption as their top priority and challenge. The latest 2024State of Marketingreport revealed that one in three marketing teams have implemented AI in their workflows.

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However, the Slack survey also found that two-thirds of desk workers still have not tried AI tools. While nearly half of global office workers expressed enthusiasm about using AI, 93% do not consider AI outputs completely trustworthy for work-related tasks.

Another finding shows AI could help desk workers minimize wasted time on busy work. People spend a third of their day on tasks that are "not meaningful to their job," the survey reports, such as unnecessary meetings, low-value emails, and excessive paperwork or data entry.

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But instead of spending the time AI saves on "strategic or high-value activities like learning and skill building, employees are likely to spend 37% more of their time on routine administrative tasks," the survey finds. This suggests a missed opportunity to take full advantage of the bandwidth AI frees up.

As the survey found, 64% of desk workers experience burnout at least once a month, and 30% do not feel passionate about their job -- a problem that the research suggests AI adoption could address by offloading parts of the worker experience.

AI Training matters - Those who are trained to use AI are up to 19x times more likely to report that AI is improving their productivity.

The survey found several factors that impact AI adoption at work:

There are many benefits to integrating AI tools into desk employees' workflows. Successful adoption of any new powerful technology requires the right company culture, talent, processes, and training. All AI projectsbegin as data projects -- a data-driven culture that values trust and shared stakeholder success will ultimately determine implementation at the speed of need.

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81% of workers using AI are more productive. Here's how to implement it - ZDNet