Exploring the Lack of Productivity Gains from Generative AI in the Workplace

The Challenge of Productive Use of Generative AI

In a recent publication by NROC Security USA, a significant concern has been raised regarding the effective use of Generative AI (GenAI) tools among employees. Despite the increasing adoption of these innovative applications, productivity gains appear disappointingly modest. The report highlights that a mere 5% of employees are leveraging GenAI apps to truly enhance their productivity, raising critical questions about efficiency in modern workplaces.

The Current State of Generative AI Usage

NROC Security's findings are based on a detailed survey that included 4,800 business users and analyzed 139,000 GenAI interactions across diverse knowledge-worker profiles. Active usage of GenAI applications surged from 19% to 31% of eligible employees between the first and second quarters of 2026. However, the stark contrast between high adoption rates and low effectiveness levels is alarming. While the number of varying app families employed nearly tripled, the proportion of users demonstrating effective use remained abysmally low.

Key Insights from the Research

Antti Reijonen, CEO of NROC, emphasized a crucial point: “The core finding of our report is that the frequency of use and the skill of prompting, rather than mere access to AI tools, significantly drive productivity.