Jabra research

Great
ExpectAItions

Work in the age of AI

AI technologies are creating a seismic shift within the workplace, fundamentally transforming how we communicate, collaborate and connect with both knowledge and each other.

With so many unknowns about AI and where it’s taking us, Jabra is taking a closer look AI adoption across the workforce, both now and into the future.

We surveyed a total of 5700 people across 13 different countries to find out how workers feel about AI, what they want from it, how they plan to use it and where there might be gaps in expectations.

Here’s what they told us.

01

People are excited about AI, but adoption is low.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, our data showed that almost everyone we surveyed has generally heard about AI by now.

90% heard of ChatGPT

66% heard of Copilot

99%

66%

Both decision makers and knowledge workers are positive about the impact of AI

85%

of decision makers are interested in AI, and a similar number (84%) believe that AI can make the workplace better.

53%

of decision makers believe that AI will make them a better leader, and 40% of knowledge workers think that using AI is like having superpowers.

93%

9 in 10 of the decision makers and knowledge workers we surveyed have heard of AI in general, with a greater overall awareness of Chat GPT vs. Copilot.

91%

heard about AI

However, there’s a gap when it comes to actual usage across the workforce. Very few knowledge workers are using AI right now, either personally (26%) or professionally

This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between enthusiasm for AI and its perceived application in the workplace.

We’re excited by AI, but we’re not yet sure if we are allowed to use it, nor what we can use it for.

How decision makers would spend time saved by AI

26%

of knowledge workers are using AI in their personal lives, and 27% are using AI professionally.

28%

of knowledge workers believe they will use Chat GPT in a professional capacity in the future. This figure is higher for personal use, at 41%.

57%

of decision makers reported a high or very high interest in AI solutions for the workplace, with a preference for Chat GPT over Copilot (61% vs. 51%)

In an era marked by ‘busy work’, we’re hopeful that AI can free our time to focus on tasks that have a bigger impact on the bottom line.

02

People want AI to free up more time for creativity, innovation and strategy.

This disconnect raises important questions about managing expectations in an AI-driven future: just because technology enables greater efficiency, it doesn't mean employees have an infinite capacity (or desire!) to take on more work.

36%

49%

57%

62%

Tasks that people spend most of their time on

36%

scheduling meetings and summarizing or following up on meetings

49%

planning their everyday work or organising their time

57%

attending meetings

62%

writing emails or other written communication

42%

48%

55%

This disconnect raises important questions about managing expectations in an AI-driven future: just because technology enables greater efficiency, it doesn't mean employees have an infinite capacity (or desire!) to take on more work.

Tasks that people think are most important for business performance

42%

project management, collaboration with colleagues and learning and development

48%

strategic decision making and future planning

55%

communicating with customers and client management

Across all tasks, the promise of saving time is a key driver in deciding what to delegate, and what not. Employees want AI to handle repetitive time drains, so they can focus more on other things.

27%

34%

35%

03

We’re not aligned on how time saved will be put to use

If suddenly we free ourselves of busywork…what then does that mean for our working day? What will we do with all that extra time?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it varies significantly between knowledge workers and decision makers. While knowledge workers are looking to reclaim time to dedicate to themselves, decision makers plan to increase output and productivity.

How decision makers would spend time saved by AI

27%

would work on more creative projects

34%

would upskill themselves

35%

would work on more impactful projects and promotable tasks

This disconnect raises important questions about managing expectations in an AI-driven future: just because technology enables greater efficiency, it doesn't mean employees have an infinite capacity (or desire!) to take on more work.

27%

29%

31%

How employees would spend time saved by AI

27%

would spend more time on self-care and wellbeing

29%

would spend more time with family and friends

31%

would work more flexible hours

Attitudes, usage and adoption varies across demographics, particularly when it comes to age.

04

Gen Z and Millennials are driving the AI revolution

Gen Z and Millennials are the key drivers of AI adoption, leading the way in both awareness and usage. Boomers lag significantly behind in their understanding of and optimism towards AI technologies. This gap underscores the need for effective leadership and training to bridge the divide. To not do so risks having a two-tier workforce: the AI haves and have nots.

Investment in both technology and people through adequate training is going to be critical for the future of AI in the workforce

05

We’re optimistic about the future of AI, but recognize the need to upskill ourselves

Employees need to be confident that they have space to play, explore and redefine norms, and that a future assisted by AI has more opportunities for them than one without. Those who will be ‘left behind’, so to speak, are those who don’t embrace this shift.

Already we can see the seeds of this among those we surveyed, with over two thirds stating that they’ll need to upskill themselves with AI to remain competitive.

76%

66%

49%

Are we facing a skill gap?

76%

of decision makers are cautious about rolling out AI due to a lack of training among the workforce

62%

of employees think they need to learn new skills related to AI

49%

of decision makers think that employees who know how to use AI will replace those who don’t

We want to engage with AI in real-time. Voice will be our gateway to generative AI.

06

Voice will be our gateway to AI

Almost twice as many people want to speak with generative AI, rather than typing prompts. This figure grows with seniority (and perceived busyness).

As agentic AI is on the rise, and tools like Copilot grow in popularity, the preference for voice is clear. This insight reflects a clear preference for AI to function as a real-time assistant to minimise the impact of ‘busy work’, so that we can get on with the tasks that matter.