Workplace AI adoption remains slow, informal and uneven, survey finds
Despite the rapid development of generative AI and the high level of public interest, the use of AI in the day-to-day work of many employees is not yet the norm. This is the finding of the third wave of the Konstanz AI study, for which a total of 1,105 employees were surveyed in May 2026. The proportion of employees who use AI in their work rose only slightly from 35% to 38% compared with the…
The Konstanz AI study, which surveyed 1,105 employees, reveals that while the use of generative AI in daily work has grown from 35% to 38% since the previous year, adoption remains slow and uneven across different types of work, educational levels, and organizational sizes. Employees are largely responsible for implementing AI tools, with just 55% of users reporting that their employers initially introduced the technology.
Many organizations are struggling to establish clear policies, secure AI infrastructure, and provide workforce training. Differences persist between office/knowledge-based work (49% AI adoption) and production/manual occupations (25%). Educated employees are more likely to use AI (56%) compared to those with lower educational attainment (21%).
Larger organizations are more likely to offer AI training and governance structures (11% training in small orgs vs 40% in larger). Despite concerns about AI's potential negative impact on the labor market (40%), only 12% believe AI has reduced entry-level positions, and 23% see significant value creation through AI. Employees perceive AI more as a societal issue than an immediate personal or organizational threat.
The researchers recommend clearer communication of AI initiatives, targeted training, support for SMEs, and adaptable AI solutions.
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