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A new Gallup survey reports that 40% of US employees are currently using AI at least several times, starting from 21% two years ago. Among people who use it more regularly, such as those that use it every week or more, usage has increased from 11% to 19%. Daily users of AI have increased by 8% from 4% last year.
White-collar workers and high-tech professionals lead
This embrace of AI is not uniform across all job types. The Gallup Report highlights that AI adoption has “increased primarily in terms of the role of white-collar,” with 27% of white-collar employees currently using AI in their workplaces, an increase of 12% since 2024.
In contrast, AI adoption between frontlines and production workers has slipped slightly from 11% in 2023 to 9% this year.
Leadership outweighs the workforce in daily use of AI
Gallup's findings show managers outperform their teams in hiring AI. One in three senior leaders, defined as managers for other managers, frequently report using AI, reporting almost twice as much rate (16%) among non-managed staff.
“Perhaps there are more leaders experimenting with it because they see the urgency and see it as a threat to competition,” said Jim Harter, chief scientist in Gallup's workplace management and welfare, in a comment to Business Insider.
Harter said leaders “will think about AI and will likely add pressure to improve efficiency and effectiveness.”
Despite the rise in AI, unemployment remains stable
Even as AI tools become more common, fears about moving work have not escalated. Only 15% of US workers say that automation or AI is very likely or somewhat likely to eliminate employment within five years. The numbers have not changed since 2023.
However, certain sectors such as technology (21%), retail (21%) and finance (20%) have shown slightly higher levels of concern.
AI is used without a clear direction
Approximately 44% of employees report that the company has begun using AI, but that they provided a clear plan for how leadership will be used. The lack of clarity slows wider integration.
The most common barrier cited by workers is not understanding how AI supports roles. Even among those who already use AI, only 16% strongly agree that the tool is beneficial.
Gallup research shows that employees are more likely to be triple ready if leaders clearly outline how to deploy AI. AI is becoming a bigger part of work-life, but without better guidance, many employees still don't see value or don't know how to use it safely.
Read Eweek's report How workers are employed in the age of AIhighlights key strategies for adapting to the demands of automation and evolving work.
