Many workers are pretty keen to get generative AI running at work

By James On Dec 8, 2023

A new Slack study has revealed a significant gap between the perceived urgency of adopting AI tools in the workplace and the actual implementation of generative AI.

The figures also show that Britain leads the way when it comes to perception of urgency compared to the US, with around three in five (61%) of British employees seeing a major or existential need to integrate GenAI into their work, compared to around two in five UK workers. five (44%) of U.S. workers.

The survey of approximately 10,000 employees worldwide comes as ChatGPT celebrates its one-year public preview anniversary. Since its launch, AI tools have been popping up everywhere in an effort to improve employee productivity.

Despite the stated desire for such technologies, only one in five (19%) of UK workers have actually used AI tools at work, which is the lowest of any country in the survey, according to Slack.

Similarly, fewer UK workers said AI tools have improved their productivity compared to other countries including the US and Australia. However, Slack noted that these numbers are inherently less reliable because fewer employees used the tools in the first place.

In recognition that AI tools can make employees more productive, Slack also revealed some other key findings that impact the amount of work an employee can get done. The company says meeting two hours a day is the turning point for employees.

The research also found that almost half (45%) of UK and US workers rarely or never take a break, with many workers considering the post-lunch slump between 3pm and 6pm as unproductive.

Slack's head of Britain and Ireland, Deirdre Byrne, said that once employees build confidence to use AI tools, “it's not just an AI revolution we're going to see, but a productivity revolution.”