Study: Office Workers Want AI At Work

The vast majority of office workers in the U.S., U.K., and Germany believe the technology helps them get their work done, according to Adobe’s “Future Of Work: More Than A Machine” study.

Office workers aren’t worried about machines replacing humans, according to Adobe’s “Future Of Work: More Than A Machine” study. In fact, the vast majority of office workers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany believe that technology helps them get their work done.

The majority of the 4,000-plus office workers surveyed across all three regions said they believe technology makes them more productive, improves work-life integration, and helps them connect better with co-workers.

“I was a little bit surprised to discover that an overwhelming majority of white-collar workers are genuinely excited and optimistic about what technology can do for them,” said Ryan Dietzen, senior market insights analyst at Adobe, and one of the designers of the study. “In the media, we hear so much about how tech is creating anxiety in the workforce, but in the office, there’s a sense that technology is going to minimize the drudgery. People feel that tech can be truly liberating.”

According to the study, 87% percent of U.S. office workers said they think their jobs will change in five years (87% in the U.K. and in Germany). However, only 30% of U.S., 29% of German, and 19% of U.K. office workers said they feel “very equipped” to succeed in a technology-rich work environment.

Despite wanting AI and automation, office workers still like human contact. Germans, especially, see face-to-face interactions as important (83% in Germany, 70% in U.S.and , 68% in U.K.).

“We found that respondents are positive about AI, but they haven’t embraced its creative side yet,” Dietzen said. “I think people are missing the real promise of tech as a true assistant—someone you can turn to for expert advice, for guidance on how you might want to craft a story and present it for your audience, or how to word that important email. Our respondents just aren’t thinking about technology this way yet.”