Workers using Generative AI systems are recording increased productivity gains and optimism about the technology, according to the latest research from Asana.

However, some workers are still being held back by a lack of training and ongoing issues of trust.

The Work Innovation Lab’s 2024 State of AI at Work report from Asana, which surveyed 5,000 employees in the US and UK, found 69% of those using Gen AI systems report productivity gains as a result of using the technology.

However, that figure fluctuated depending on how regularly Gen AI is used. Productivity gains were 89% higher for daily users, 73% for weekly users, and 39% for monthly users.

Asana also noted that workers that use Gen AI for nine or more use cases were “twice as likely to report productivity gains” compared to those who use AI in “only two or fewer use cases.”

Despite the rapid acceleration of AI use among workers, 82% say their organizations are yet to provide training on using Generative AI tools – a trend similarly recorded in Microsoft’s fourth annual ‘Work Trends Index’ report, published in May.

Meanwhile, AI literacy remains low among organizations surveyed, with two in three (64%) of knowledge workers claiming “little to no” familiarity with the Gen AI tools they could use in their work, with the same number unable to identify more than two AI technologies “relevant to their roles”.

Dr Rebecca Hinds, Head of Asana’s Work Innovation Lab, tells UNLEASH that HR leaders need to “prioritize developing customized training programs that cater to employees at all levels of AI literacy.

“This must be built upon a culture of continuous learning where employees feel encouraged to upskill themselves in AI-related technologies.”

Dr Hinds highlights that this can be achieved through “incentives, recognition programs, and providing access to resources like online courses and workshops”.

“As well, by supporting the business in openly sharing information about AI policies, roadmaps, and guidelines for use – and critically – ensuring that this information reaches all employees, HR leaders can provide the guardrails they need to experiment with AI confidently.”

Trust with AI is not earned in a day

While there is some differentiation between reported proliferation of AI use in the workplace, one of the consistent barriers to growth is the ongoing lack of trust in AI among workers.

The report found fears regarding being displaced by Gen AI systems are felt by one in three (33%) of workers, however others are concerned over how increased use of these tools reflect on output or their own abilities.

Asana found that nearly half of workers surveyed (47%) cited incorrect results/outputs or the negative impacts of inaccurate AI outputs on decision-making as their top concern, with 31% concerned about their own data privacy being comprised.

Meanwhile, one quarter (26%) are worried about being perceived as “lazy” by their colleagues for using Gen AI systems, while 23% are concerned about being labelled as “frauds”.

“Organizations that are more mature in their AI adoption journey harness AI differently, treating it as a collaborative teammate rather than just a tool,” comments Dr Hinds.

When employees see AI as a teammate, they are not only more enthusiastic about the technology, but they also report more significant productivity gains.

“HR leaders must invest in training and development programs that not only teach employees how to use AI technologies effectively but also emphasize the benefits of collaborating with AI.”