New study finds bosses are far more comfortable sharing work documents with AI than their employees — despite the security risks

A recent study has revealed that company executives are increasingly delegating tasks to artificial intelligence (AI), contrary to their employees' cautious approach towards using AI, despite the potential security concerns. Conducted by Adobe Acrobat, the survey polled 2,000 UK adults regarding their usage of AI in the workplace.

The findings indicate that nearly three-quarters of C-suite leaders are comfortable sharing their work documents with AI tools, which could encompass sensitive information related to marketing, translation, and data analysis. In contrast, only about 20% of non-management staff feel at ease with such AI integration, with a significant portion (over 60%) opting to avoid AI tools altogether.

The report uncovers a broad adoption of AI within UK companies, with 74% of C-suite leaders utilizing AI for various tasks. Among this group, 37% employ AI to reduce their work time by 3 to 5 hours weekly, while 35% utilize the technology for analytical purposes. However, the situation is markedly different among non-management employees, where 59% do not utilize AI tools at all. This discrepancy between C-suite leaders and other employees suggests a larger disconnect in the adoption of AI technology.

Concerns over AI usage and training were also highlighted in the study, with 19% of respondents citing a lack of training or clear guidance as a major issue. Addressing these concerns, particularly from a security and privacy standpoint, is crucial for IT departments and information management professionals. The survey reveals that 22% of organizations adopting AI tools prioritize data security and privacy as their most significant concerns. Moreover, 20% express worries about the accuracy and potential errors generated by AI outputs.