Dive Brief:
- Workers who used generative artificial intelligence daily in the past year reported greater productivity (92% versus 58%), more job security (58% versus 36%) and higher salaries (52% versus 32%) compared to infrequent users, according to PwC’s 2025 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, released Wednesday.
- Notably, 75% of daily AI users said they have access to the resources they need for L&D, while only 59% of infrequent users do. However, of the nearly 50,000 workers surveyed globally, only 14% said they use generative AI daily, up from the 12% who said so in 2024. Likewise, only 6% said they use agentic AI on a daily basis.
- “This isn't just a technology story; it’s a people story,” Nicki Wakefield, global clients and industries leader at PwC, said in a statement. “In a year of rising financial strain and many feeling overwhelmed, leaders must redesign work and provide clarity and confidence: simple everyday use cases, strong guardrails, and the skills, trust and support that turn AI from hype into real help.”
Dive Insight:
A little more than half of workers said they have used AI at work in the past year, but frequent use remains low, “suggesting ample opportunity for growth and access to the tangible benefits,” according to the report.
For instance, organizations can better support employee development, the report found. While 72% of senior executives and 66% of managers said they have access to the learning and development opportunities they need, only 51% of non-managers said the same.
An October Perceptyx report had similar findings. As many as 82% of executives and 68% of managers surveyed across North America and Europe said they use AI, but only 35% of individual contributors said they do.
“Organizations that ignore gaps in trust, fairness, and manager enablement risk disengaging employees, especially those closest to day-to-day execution,” the global head of workforce insights and innovation at Perceptyx said in a statement at the time.
Per the PwC report, daily generative AI users reported feeling more optimistic about the future of their roles in the next year (69%) compared to infrequent users (51%) and those who don’t use the technology at all (44%).
“Based on current trends, those who are already using AI look set to extend their lead over the rest of the workforce,” the PwC report said.
