As AI tools become more ubiquitous, a growing number of workers are using the technology at work – whether they want to or not, a new survey by tech talent hiring platform Howdy found.
Conducted in June, the survey of 1,047 full-time professionals revealed sharply diverging experiences with AI. Three-quarters reported being expected to use AI at work, although whether that expectation was official (51 percent) or unofficial (24 percent) varied.
Of those expected to use AI, a quarter received no training in the technology while a similar number received formal training through work. A third were simply given dedicated time to learn AI on their own. Previous surveys indicate that the absence of training can contribute to a lack of enthusiasm toward AI or even active resistance to the technology among workers.
While the overwhelming majority of respondents (92 percent) in the Howdy survey agreed with their company leadership’s approach on AI, a quarter reported often or always feeling overwhelmed by AI at work and more than a fifth of respondents (22 percent) felt pressured to use AI in situations where they’re not comfortable.
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Pressure from higher-ups also contributed to around one in six (16 percent) sometimes pretending to use the technology. There’s good reason for the farce: AI-integrated positions are increasingly the safest ones across multiple sectors, from banking to big tech. Companies like Microsoft are actively courting AI talent even as they lay off thousands of workers across different sectors of the business.
Despite these concerns, the overwhelming majority of respondents (83 percent) believe AI is worth the investment. A similar number (84 percent) feel more productive using AI, despite a third of respondents saying that learning, using and checking AI takes as much time as doing all the work themselves.
Most (69 percent) reported greater overall job satisfaction, a surprisingly low figure given that people reported AI decreasing burnout (72 percent) and lowering workplace stress (74 percent) at higher rates. Only 5 percent said AI caused burnout.
More detailed research is needed to see how factors like training, support and policy clarity may impact enthusiasm about AI among professionals, and how much it varies across industries and even specific roles.
