The uptake of artificial intelligence at work remains uneven, whether across sexes or sectors.
But one thing seems to bring an overwhelming majority of them together.
First, the divides. Barely half of women use AI at work, a recent report found, compared to more than three-quarters of men.
The report, “AI at Work: A Global Entry-Level Perspective,” hails from Generation, a non-profit that helps place people into meaningful careers.
The research from Generation, conducted in collaboration with the MetLife Foundation, found that, in addition to lopsided adoption between the sexes, differences in usage levels were also noted across sectors.
For example, within the tech industry, adoption rates are reported as high as 80-90%. However, for skilled trades, AI usage plunges down into the 10-15% range.
The report, which surveyed nearly 6,000 entry-level workers across 17 countries, found that about two-thirds currently use AI at work, with 37% of AI adopters using the tech tools daily.
The primary uses for AI cited in the report by workers are learning, content creation, and administrative tasks.
“AI is reshaping the workplace,” says Generation chief executive officer Mona Mourshed.
Now, back to the unification. That thing almost everyone seems to be able to agree on? The benefits of utilizing AI tools.
“Despite uneven uptake,” the report reads, “most users are seeing clear benefits, with 94% reporting that AI has improved their ability to do their job–including 63% who say it helped a lot.”
Perhaps even more striking? An astonishing 91% said AI has made their work more enjoyable, with a majority of workers reporting an increase in job satisfaction.
“Employees are charging ahead, using tools to learn faster, work smarter, and enjoy their jobs more,” Mourshed remarked.
Among the one-third of entry level workers still not using AI, hesitation lingers around a lack of training and uncertainty about how AI applies to their role, according to data from the report.
“We need to ensure every worker, in every sector, has the access and support to begin harnessing the power of AI in their roles,” Mourshed said.
