Tech pros embrace AI, boosting productivity & reducing stress

Technology professionals are spearheading the use of artificial intelligence in workplaces, enhancing productivity and reducing workload, a survey by The Access Group has revealed.

According to the survey conducted among over 1,000 employees from various industries, 74% of IT and tech professionals are utilising AI, which is saving them nearly three hours per week. A significant 96% of respondents in this field view AI as having a positive impact on their workplace, with 89% noting improvements in standards due to its implementation.

The survey, which assessed AI's effect on work quality, time management, and employee well-being across 12 sectors, found that about half of the employees are currently using AI in their job roles. Among the sectors, technology led AI adoption followed by human resources at 68%, while the not-for-profit and health and social care sectors reported the lowest AI usage, at 29% and 30% respectively.

Tech professionals highlighted reduced workloads as the principal benefit of AI, with 54% recognising this aspect. Other noted advantages included enhanced productivity at 46%, improved customer service at 42%, cost savings for businesses at 40%, and better work-life balance at 38%.

ChatGPT emerged as the most widely used AI tool, with approximately 70% of tech respondents employing it, compared to the all-sector average of 55%. Additionally, 78% of the surveyed group indicated that generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, had alleviated job or workload stress.

Oliver Quayle, Senior Group Director at The Access Group, commented, "IT and tech teams are at the forefront of the AI revolution in the workplace, so it's not surprising that they come out on top in our survey. Many have seen how the technology has rapidly evolved over the past few years, and are hungry to put it into action – whether in their own coding, or in applications that benefit their customers."

Despite the positive reception, the survey also identified some concerning trends within the tech sector. About 83% of respondents admitted to using generative AI for tasks they were supposed to complete independently, and 45% confessed to utilising it in ways they would not disclose to their superiors. These findings arise amidst concerns about data security, with more than half of the respondents in the sector expressing apprehension. Privacy and the threat of inaccurate results were also pointed out by 34% and 33% respectively.

Marko Perisic, Chief Product and Engineering Officer at The Access Group, stated, "AI has taken off in a way that few people could have imagined – but left unchecked it can lead to some employees using it irresponsibly. Sometimes this is down to lack of training about the potential security risks but, according to our survey, a high proportion use it covertly to do their job for them, which is unfair on their colleagues and customers."

He further emphasised the importance of data protection, "Construction teams need a vendor who offers the highest data protection standards. Our new AI experience, Access Evo, encourages employees to innovate, while giving them peace of mind that all information is stored in a secure and private environment and not used to train other open AI systems. Approved AI tools like these, underpinned by clear and regularly-updated policies and training, can help everyone to deliver a better standard of service, and get ahead in their careers without compromising company data."