According to McKinsey’s “Superagency in the Workplace” report, employees are adopting AI solutions much faster than their managers anticipate.

According to McKinsey’s “Superagency in the Workplace” report, employees are adopting AI solutions much faster than their managers anticipate. Employees who already use AI-based applications also express a desire for more training and support in this area.

At CBOT, we address this need with our Digital Work Assistants, designed for internal employees. These solutions support employees in various fields, such as Human Resources, Information Security, and Customer Services, making business processes more efficient and effective. The findings of the McKinsey report also indicate that the demand for these digital assistants among employees is increasing day by day.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the details of this report.

Employees Use AI More Frequently Than Their Managers Think. But Are Managers Aware of This?

According to McKinsey’s US CxO survey, 94% of employees and 99% of C-suite leaders are familiar with generative AI (Gen AI) tools. However, managers are not yet fully aware of how widely their employees are utilizing this technology.

Senior executives estimate that only 4% of employees currently use Gen AI for at least 30% of their daily tasks. However, according to employees’ own statements, this rate is actually three times higher. Moreover, while only 20% of managers predict that employees will use Gen AI for more than 30% of their daily tasks within a year, employees themselves anticipate this rate to reach 47%.

Employees Fall Into Four Categories in Their Approach to AI

According to McKinsey’s research, employees can be categorized into four distinct groups based on their attitudes toward AI: Bloomers, Gloomers, Zoomers, and Doomers.

Bloomers (39%) – Optimistic about AI, they want to collaborate with their companies to develop responsible solutions.
Gloomers (37%) – More skeptical about AI, they advocate for stricter regulations.
Zoomers (20%) – Prefer the rapid implementation of AI with minimal restrictions.
Doomers (4%) – Completely opposed to AI, focusing solely on its risks.

Employees Expect More Support from Their Managers for AI Adaptation

According to McKinsey’s research, employees believe that AI will significantly impact their jobs and expect their companies to invest more in helping them adapt to this change. Nearly half of the survey respondents consider AI training to be the most effective way to accelerate adaptation. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of gaining access to AI tools through beta versions or pilot projects. Employees also suggest that incentives such as financial rewards and recognition could further encourage AI adoption.

However, despite these expectations, companies are not providing sufficient support. Survey results reveal that more than one-fifth of employees receive little to no assistance. As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, it is becoming increasingly critical for companies to offer more training and support to help employees enhance their skills.

The Situation Is Slightly Different for International Employees

According to McKinsey’s research, while global trends in AI adaptation are largely similar, there are significant differences between countries in terms of training and support. Employees in Australia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom report receiving significantly more corporate support for learning AI skills compared to their counterparts in the United States.

Survey results show that 84% of international employees say they receive substantial or full support for AI training, whereas in the U.S., this figure is just slightly over half. Additionally, international employees have more opportunities to participate in the development of generative AI tools in the workplace. When it comes to activities such as beta testing, providing feedback, and requesting new features, they are at least 10 percentage points ahead of U.S. employees.

Millennials Could Be the Driving Force of AI Transformation

In today’s business world, millennials aged 35-44 play a crucial role as managers and team leaders within companies. According to McKinsey’s latest report, professionals in this age group report having the highest level of experience and enthusiasm for AI, positioning them as key drivers of transformational change.

 

Millennials Are the Most Active Users of AI

Research data shows that 62% of employees aged 35-44 have a high level of AI expertise. In comparison, this rate stands at 50% for Gen Z (18-24 years old) and 22% for Baby Boomers (65 and older). These figures highlight the critical role millennials can play in AI adoption.

How Can Leaders Contribute to This Transformation?

Millennial leaders in managerial positions play a crucial role in transforming their teams into more proficient AI users. According to McKinsey’s research, two-thirds of managers receive questions from their teams about AI tools at least once a week. Similarly, a comparable proportion of managers report that they actively recommend AI tools to their teams as part of the problem-solving process.

 

Leaders have the authority to take action, which allows them to be more proactive and bold in driving AI adoption.

In many transformation processes, employees are known to resist change. However, AI is different! Employees have a high level of familiarity with this technology and are ready to embrace AI adoption. This presents a unique opportunity for business leaders to act swiftly and drive AI integration more effectively.

What Can Leaders Do?

• They can identify needs by listening to how employees use AI and how they can transform their work.
  They can accelerate AI adaptation by providing their teams with the necessary training.
  They can empower managers to make AI use cases scalable from the pilot phase.

💡 This opportunity should not be missed! It is crucial for companies aiming to achieve AI maturity to manage this process quickly and decisively. Delaying could mean falling behind in the competition.