The Growing Need for AI Adoption in the Workplace: A Solution to Rising Workloads

Americans are feeling the strain at work, and the latest report from Wrike highlights just how significant the problem has become. According to the findings, employees report a 31% increase in their workloads over the past year, a figure that leaders view as even more drastic, with many departments experiencing a 46% rise. This mounting pressure mainly affects sectors like tech and financial services, where frequent layoffs have burdened the remaining workers with additional responsibilities.

This growing workload is taking its toll. Wrike's research also revealed that U.S. employees spend an average of 40.8 additional hours each year to compensate for wasted time at work. Worse still, businesses are losing almost 1.5 days per week to unnecessary tasks, costing organizations an average of $15,138.03 per employee annually. As companies struggle to maintain productivity, employees turn to technology to help them manage their increasing responsibilities and streamline their workloads.

One of the most significant solutions emerging in response to these challenges is the rise of BYOAI–the concept of "Bring Your Own AI to Work." As employees seek tools that can help them manage their tasks more efficiently, they increasingly turn to assistive AI technologies like Gemini, Claude, Co-Pilot, and ChatGPT. Employees use these tools for various tasks, such as conducting research, summarizing reports, drafting emails, and outlining documents.

These tools' potential is immense and could have a significant impact. According to a report from Thomson Reuters, the average knowledge worker expects that artificial intelligence will save them four hours each week, leading to a potential annual benefit equivalent to having an extra colleague for every ten employees. According to the report, AI will significantly change how knowledge workers perform their tasks by the decade's end, potentially freeing up as much as 12 hours of their workweek and transforming business operations, ultimately leading to increased productivity.

The rise in AI adoption by employees creates a troubling discrepancy: employees aren't always using tools aligned with their companies' strategic goals. Asana's "State of AI at Work" report reveals that a mere 31% of companies have established a formal AI strategy, highlighting a significant gap in AI adoption and planning across organizations. A concerning reality is that only a meager 13% of organizations have implemented comprehensive and universally agreed-upon guidelines for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Misunderstanding between workers and leaders creates tension that could hinder productivity in the long run.

The absence of a straightforward, unified approach to AI adoption leaves employees to navigate this complex landscape independently. While many workers proactively use generative AI to improve efficiency, companies are still hesitant to fully embrace these tools. Some organizations, concerned about security risks and potential misuse, have even imposed strict bans on generative AI. Notably, Samsung has prohibited the use of AI tools like ChatGPT, particularly after instances where employees used them to troubleshoot proprietary code or summarize internal documents. Verizon, Citigroup, and Deutsche Bank have taken similar steps because of concerns about potential sensitive data leaks.

In recent headlines, Elon Musk has complained about Apple's plans to integrate ChatGPT into iPhones, suggesting a ban on Apple devices at his companies because of alleged security breaches. These recent moves reflect the growing apprehension among business leaders regarding the potential risks of generative AI, including the possibility of inaccuracies and biases, which could lead to the dissemination of false information or other detrimental effects.

While some concerns exist regarding the implementation of AI, there is an interesting argument that companies must adopt this technology to maintain their competitive edge and remain relevant in a rapidly digitalizing global marketplace. Deloitte partner and global generative AI lead Costi Perricos underscores the critical role of boosting business fluency in artificial intelligence. He argues that, regardless of whether organizations are supportive or strict about generative AI, it is vital that they help their employees understand and effectively use these tools.

Perricos suggests that comprehensive learning and development programs should accompany generative AI to mitigate the inherent risks associated with this technology. These should include training on ethical use, responsible deployment, and maximizing the value these tools can bring. The potential for productivity gains is clear: Asana's report found that 89% of employees using AI tools daily reported increased productivity.

Workers' frustration with being in an organization that lags on AI adoption is palpable. Employees may not leverage these tools' full potential if a company is slow to act or lacks clear guidelines on AI usage. In such cases, employees may look for roles in organizations with robust AI policies, including budget allocations, for the tools to enhance productivity.

In conclusion, while the growing workloads and challenges employees face in the U.S. are significant, the solution lies in the effective use of AI. However, businesses must act quickly to develop formal AI strategies and ensure that employees can access the tools, training, and guidelines. By embracing AI responsibly and efficiently, companies can reduce wasted time, increase productivity, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive and digital workplace.

Follow-up:

If you struggle to understand Generative AI, I am here to help. To this end, I created the "Ethical Writers System" to support writers in their struggles with AI. I personally work with writers in one-on-one sessions to ensure you can comfortably use this technology safely and ethically. When you are done, you will have the foundations to work with it independently.

I hope this blog post has been educational for you. I encourage you to reach out to me should you have any questions. If you wish to expand your knowledge on how AI tools can enrich your writing, don't hesitate to contact me directly here on LinkedIn or explore AI4Writers.io.

Or better yet, book a discovery call, and we can see what I can do for you at GoPlus!