With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, the conflict between management and employees in the workplace is becoming increasingly intensified. New research by enterprise AI startup Writer shows that nearly half of executives believe AI is “breaking” their companies, and this disagreement is not only reflected in their willingness to use AI tools, but also in their understanding and acceptance of AI strategies.
Survey data shows that 94% of C-level executives expressed dissatisfaction with current AI solutions, and 72% admitted to at least one challenge in the AI application process. More interestingly, 59% of executives are actively looking for companies that are more innovative in generative AI, while only 35% of employees have similar willingness to change jobs. This difference suggests a significant divergence in executives’ attitudes toward AI applications.
The research, conducted in December 2024, included 800 C-level executives and 800 employees using generative AI, covering enterprises ranging from 100 to more than 10,000 people, covering multiple industries such as technology, financial services, retail, and medical care. Although some executives believe that AI integration is going well, only 45% of employees believe that the company’s AI deployment has been successful in the past year. In addition, 57% of employees said they were unclear whether the company had a clear AI strategy, while 89% of executives believed it.
Since ChatGPT triggered the AI boom at the end of 2022, dissatisfaction within the workplace has gradually intensified. An IBM study in May 2024 pointed out that nearly two-thirds of leaders believe that the popularity of AI will accelerate job change, but their organizations still need to actively embrace AI. Meanwhile, a LinkedIn report shows that 53% of employees choose to hide their AI usage because of concerns about being replaced by AI.
Regarding the gap between executives and employees, Writer CEO May Habib said that employee resistance is mainly due to fear of being replaced by AI and the inapplicability of AI tools. She noted that about half of employees find the information generated by AI inaccurate or confusing, and 41% of millennials and Gen Z employees even undermine the company’s AI strategy by refusing to use AI tools.
Habib believes executives are often disconnected from the implementation of AI at the actual work level and have difficulty understanding employee concerns. To improve this situation, leaders need to show employees that the purpose of using AI is to increase the company's overall output, which is inseparable from the support of existing employees. However, even employees who are optimistic about the potential of AI are still difficult to fully accept in the face of unrealistic tools.
Data shows that 35% of employees even pay out of their own pocket to buy generative AI tools they use at work. Habib expressed disappointment, stressing that companies should provide AI tools that are more suitable for employees' work, rather than relying solely on chatbots. She called on corporate executives to strengthen communication and jointly promote the effective application of AI technology.
Key points:
Nearly half of executives believe that AI is causing division in the workplace, and 94% are dissatisfied with existing AI solutions.
Only 45% of employees believe the company has successfully deployed AI in the past year, and 57% say the company does not have a clear AI strategy.
41% of young employees undermine the company’s AI strategy by refusing to use AI tools, and 35% buy AI tools themselves to meet work needs.