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EY's Work Reimagined Survey Uncovers Critical Gaps in AI Utilization

In a groundbreaking survey titled "EY 2025 Work Reimagined Survey," research has unveiled that a staggering 40% of potential productivity gains from AI integration are being missed due to inadequacies in talent strategy. This study, conducted across 29 countries with responses from 15,000 employees and 1,500 business leaders, emphasizes the pressing need for organizations to reassess their approach to AI.

Key Findings

AI Use in Daily Operations

The survey indicates that while 88% of employees utilize AI in their everyday tasks, the applications remain largely limited to basic functions such as searching information and summarizing documents. An alarming 5% of employees report using AI to fundamentally transform their work processes, which demonstrates a significant gap between the potential and actual usage of AI technology.

Employee Concerns

Furthermore, a notable 37% of respondents expressed concerns that over-reliance on AI could diminish their skills and expertise. Additionally, 64% reported an increase in workload over the past year, alongside rising expectations for productivity. It is noteworthy that only 12% of employees have received adequate training to realize the productivity improvements AI can offer, indicating a critical area needing attention.

Shadow AI Trend

Despite employers enhancing internal AI tools, “shadow AI” usage—where employees implement external AI solutions independently—continues to thrive, with 23% to 58% of employees from various sectors introducing their own AI tools at work. This trend poses further risks as it underlines deficiencies in organizational support and frameworks around AI integration.

The Importance of Organizational Culture and Learning

The survey underscores the vital role of organizational culture and learning opportunities in ensuring a robust workforce capable of maximizing AI benefits. Almost 18% improvement was noted in the global workforce health index, reflecting enhanced satisfaction in rewards, skill development, and organizational culture. This improvement correspondingly lowered the attrition rate to 29%, the lowest recorded in four years.

Leadership plays a crucial role in cultivating an organizational culture that supports both AI implementation and continuous learning. Leaders who prioritize team well-being and create a trusting environment significantly impact employee engagement and productivity.

Skills Development and Retention Challenges

Investment in skill enhancement directly correlates with transformational change. Employees who underwent more than 81 hours of AI training reported productivity increases of 14 hours weekly—a remarkable feat. However, they were also 55% more likely to leave for external opportunities, highlighting the extensive demand for skilled AI employees and the competitive job market.

Establishing Talent Superiority

The report categorizes five key areas where companies can bridge the disconnect between human factors and AI integration: excellence in AI utilization, continuous learning, organizational culture, reward structures, and talent health. Organizations excelling in these domains achieve what is referred to as “talent superiority”, leveraging AI to yield transformative value.

According to Kim Billeter, EY Global Leader, it is imperative that organizations confront the human aspects of AI deployment as a pressing concern. Addressing employee fears regarding job security and the potential decline in skill is essential for fostering a productive workforce that can thrive alongside AI.

Conclusion

As AI increasingly redefines workplace dynamics, establishing a culture that embraces technology while nurturing human capability is crucial. Organizations that strike a balance between harnessing the full potential of AI and strengthening their human resource foundations are positioned to achieve remarkable breakthroughs. The EY 2025 Work Reimagined Survey serves as a call to action for all sectors to realign their talent strategies to benefit comprehensively from AI advancements.