Key Takeaways:
- 12% of American workers use AI daily in their job, while 25% use it at least a few times a week.
- AI adoption is higher among workers in technology-related fields, finance, and education.
- The use of AI at work is expected to continue growing, but some economists are concerned about its impact on productivity and employment prospects.
- Few workers are concerned about AI replacing them, with 50% saying it is "not at all likely" that new technology will eliminate their job within the next five years.
- Workers in administrative and clerical roles may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of AI adoption due to their limited transferable skills and lower savings.
Introduction to AI Adoption in the Workplace
A new Gallup poll has found that American workers have adopted artificial intelligence into their work lives at a remarkable pace over the past few years. According to the survey, 12% of employed adults say they use AI daily in their job, while roughly one-quarter say they use it at least frequently, defined as at least a few times a week. This represents a significant increase from 2023, when 21% of workers were using AI at least occasionally. As Gene Walinski, a 70-year-old Home Depot store associate, noted, "I think my job would suffer if I couldn’t [use AI] because there would be a lot of shrugged shoulders and ‘I don’t know’ and customers don’t want to hear that."
AI Use in Various Industries
The survey found that AI adoption remains higher among those working in technology-related fields, with about 6 in 10 technology workers saying they use AI frequently, and about 3 in 10 doing so daily. In finance, 28-year-old investment banker Andrea Tanzi uses AI tools every day to synthesize documents and data sets that would otherwise take him several hours to review. Tanzi also uses the bank’s internal AI chatbot, Erica, to help with administrative tasks. As he noted, AI has become an essential tool in his daily work, allowing him to be more efficient and productive.
Benefits and Drawbacks of AI Adoption
The AI industry and the U.S. government are heavily promoting AI adoption in workplaces and schools, but not all economists agree on how much it will boost productivity or affect employment prospects. Sam Manning, a fellow at the Centre for the Governance of AI, noted that "most of the workers that are most highly exposed to AI, who are most likely to have it disrupt their workflows, for good or for bad, have these characteristics that make them pretty adaptable." However, Manning’s research has also identified some 6.1 million workers in the United States who are both heavily exposed to AI and less equipped to adapt, including those in administrative and clerical work. As Manning said, "If their skills are automated, they have less transferable skills to other jobs and they have a lower savings, if any savings. An income shock could be much more harmful or difficult to manage."
Worker Concerns about AI Replacement
Despite the growing use of AI in the workplace, few workers are concerned about AI replacing them. A separate Gallup Workforce survey from 2025 found that only 50% of employees said it was "not at all likely" that new technology, automation, robots, or AI will eliminate their job within the next five years. Rev. Michael Bingham, pastor of the Faith Community Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, is not worried about losing his job to AI, saying, "You don’t want a machine, you want a human being, to hold your hand if you’re dying. And you want to know that your loved one was able to hold the hand of a loving human being who cared for them." Similarly, Home Depot store associate Gene Walinski is "not at all worried" that AI will replace him, saying, "The human interface part is really what a store like mine works on. It’s all about the people."
Conclusion
In conclusion, the adoption of AI in the workplace is on the rise, with 12% of American workers using AI daily and 25% using it at least a few times a week. While AI adoption is higher among workers in technology-related fields, finance, and education, its use is expected to continue growing across various industries. However, economists are concerned about the impact of AI on productivity and employment prospects, particularly for workers in administrative and clerical roles. As the use of AI in the workplace continues to evolve, it is essential to consider the benefits and drawbacks of AI adoption and to ensure that workers are equipped with the skills and training needed to adapt to an increasingly automated work environment.
https://www.10tv.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/how-americans-are-using-ai-at-work-according-to-a-new-gallup-poll/616-b660c5f3-80f8-4fe6-8807-6d9ce0f51882
