Despite its potential, AI adoption among U.S. desk workers is stalled. Concerns over perception, lack of training, and a gap between management priorities and employee expectations are holding back AI’s full impact.
A recent Slack Workforce Index report has revealed that AI adoption among desk workers in the U.S. has slowed to a crawl, with adoption rates nudging up only slightly over the past few months, from 32% to 33%. While this might seem like incremental progress, the numbers indicate a troubling trend for companies hoping to leverage AI to drive productivity and profitability. The data uncovers a mix of hesitations, misunderstandings, and misalignments between leaders and employees that could prevent businesses from unlocking the full potential of AI.
Stagnant Adoption Threatens Business Growth
Artificial intelligence, with its capability to boost corporate profits significantly, is increasingly seen as essential to staying competitive in today’s fast-paced market. McKinsey has estimated that AI could add up to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy. Additionally, research from Salesforce reveals that sales teams that use AI are 1.3 times more likely to see revenue growth. However, these benefits come with a caveat: adoption must be widespread and effective to see real gains.
The report suggests that much of the onus has been placed on employees to adapt to AI independently. Christina Janzer, Slack’s Senior Vice President of Research and Analytics, cautioned that leaving workers to figure out AI on their own could lead to an incomplete, uneven adoption. “To ensure adoption, leaders must not only train workers but also encourage open discussions about AI and support experimentation,” she stated, emphasizing that support needs to be both practical and cultural to overcome hurdles.
Uneasy Employees: Fear and Stigma Around Using AI
Nearly half of U.S. desk workers report that they’re uncomfortable discussing their AI use with managers. This reluctance stems from fears of being perceived as less competent, lazy, or even dishonest. Some employees worry that using AI could signal a lack of skill or dedication. Others fear that managers might interpret AI reliance as an attempt to “cheat” by delegating essential tasks to software.
Interestingly, the report notes that workers who do feel comfortable discussing AI with their managers are 67% more likely to use it for work-related tasks. The implication is clear: companies that foster a supportive culture around AI can drive higher adoption rates simply by addressing employee concerns and reducing the stigma surrounding AI.
Workers who feel safe to explore AI at work can use it to streamline tasks, simplify complex processes, and, in some cases, drive innovation. Without this environment, employees are left in a Catch-22—either they avoid AI and forgo its productivity benefits, or they use it cautiously, keeping their usage hidden. The Slack Workforce Index findings suggest that changing this culture of hesitation could be one of the fastest ways to boost AI use across organizations.
A Disconnect Between Leadership Goals and Employee Priorities
While executives champion AI as a tool for fostering innovation and skill-building, employees have different expectations. Leaders envision employees using AI to free up time for skill development and exploring innovative projects. In contrast, workers are more likely to use AI to handle administrative tasks, address backlogged projects, and manage daily routines. This disconnect hints at a fundamental misalignment between management’s strategic goals and employees’ immediate priorities.
The survey underscores this gap by highlighting the areas that each group values most:
- Executives prioritize upskilling, learning, and innovation.
- Employees focus on tackling routine administrative tasks, managing core projects, and some skill-building as time allows.
To bridge this gap, organizations may need to align their AI training programs with the tasks employees are currently focused on while gradually introducing new ways to integrate AI into more strategic work. Leadership can foster engagement by meeting employees where they are now, building confidence in AI before expecting major leaps in productivity or innovation.
A Shortfall in AI Training Hampers Employee Confidence
While there is no shortage of employee interest in AI, training opportunities remain scarce. The report shows that 76% of U.S. desk workers feel an urgency to learn AI skills. Despite this interest, 61% of employees report spending fewer than five hours on AI training, and 30% have had no AI training whatsoever. The data also shows that employees who do receive AI training are significantly more likely to adopt it in their work.
Those who’ve had guidance have driven a 13% increase in adoption since the beginning of the year, compared to a mere 2% uptick among employees without formal training. The Slack Workforce Index suggests that providing even minimal AI guidance can substantially increase adoption rates, making a strong case for companies to invest in training initiatives that go beyond just the basics.
AI knowledge is also becoming a key factor for employees evaluating job opportunities. A substantial 75% of surveyed workers now consider AI capabilities as a factor in job selection, with entry-level employees especially keen on AI proficiency as part of their new roles. Companies that don’t prioritize AI training may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage, particularly in attracting talent from younger, more tech-savvy generations.
Moving Forward: Building a Culture of AI Confidence and Competency
The Slack Workforce Index paints a clear picture: AI adoption in the U.S. workforce isn’t simply about making the tools available; it’s about building a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable, competent, and empowered to use AI effectively. With $4.4 trillion in global profits on the table, businesses cannot afford for AI adoption to lag because of a few foundational gaps.
To turn the tide on AI adoption, leaders may need to:
- Encourage an open AI culture: Normalizing conversations around AI use could help eliminate the fear of judgment, letting employees freely discuss, learn, and explore AI’s capabilities.
- Offer practical, accessible training: Short, frequent training sessions that focus on real-world applications could be more effective than one-off training seminars.
- Align AI tasks with employee priorities: By starting with the tasks employees find most valuable, companies can build confidence in AI as a productivity booster before shifting focus to strategic applications.
The findings of the Slack Workforce Index highlight both the promise of AI and the obstacles to realizing that promise. With the right cultural shifts, training, and alignment between executive goals and employee needs, businesses may yet unlock the full potential of AI, pushing adoption well beyond 33% and capturing the productivity and profit gains they’ve been seeking.
