UK firms urged to oversee rising AI tool use at work

Recent data from Owl Labs' State of Hybrid Work Report demonstrates that UK businesses may need to more closely monitor their workforce's use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

The report indicates a significant rise in AI dependency, with 68% of UK employees reportedly using AI tools regularly in their work tasks. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger employees, as 63% of Gen Z and Millennials are using AI at least weekly, compared to 43% of Gen X and Boomer colleagues.

Another key finding is that 49% of UK workers are independently bringing AI tools into their workplace, a practice referred to as "bring your own AI" (BYO-AI) or "Shadow AI." This independent adoption of AI is happening without employers' formal knowledge or oversight.

Frank Weishaupt, Chief Executive Officer of Owl Labs, stated, "As hybrid work becomes the norm, workforces are shifting from merely experimenting with AI tools to actively using them to boost productivity and efficiency in their everyday work. This transformation calls for a smart, coordinated approach in which business leaders ensure that AI integration is both purposeful and secure, with safeguards that mitigate risks associated with unchecked use. Employees will need the skills and confidence to work effectively with these tools, whether at home or in the office, to foster a productive and resilient hybrid workforce."

The report further highlights that nearly half of the employers, standing at 41%, have already taken steps to replace or augment employee roles with AI solutions. While 41% of employees have experienced disruptions due to insufficient IT support, 75% acknowledge losing meeting time to technical difficulties.

Issues in hybrid meetings also present challenges, with 73% of employees facing audio distortion and 72% missing visual cues due to technical constraints during virtual interactions. Despite this, only 20% of organisations have updated their meeting technologies this year, although 83% of workers emphasise the critical importance of access to good technology.

The increasing presence of AI at the workplace has triggered a corresponding rise in employee monitoring software use, with over a third (38%) of employers implementing or expanding such measures. However, 86% of employees believe there should be a legal mandate to disclose the usage of monitoring tools.

Although employees independently integrate AI into their work, employer adoption is also notable, with 41% of respondents observing their employers' use of AI for augmenting roles. There is a clear need for businesses to establish robust AI provisions and policies while providing adequate training to harness the benefits of AI in hybrid work settings.

The proliferation of AI use underscores a broader trend towards enhancing workplace productivity and resilience, particularly in environments where hybrid working is becoming a standard mode of operation.