UK employees increasingly favour AI in the workplace

A recent survey conducted by Freshworks has highlighted that UK employees are increasingly seeking more AI integration in their workplace.

The Freshworks survey, titled "AI Workplace Report," encompassed feedback from over 4,000 employees and business leaders globally from various sectors, including customer service, finance, HR, marketing, and sales.

Nearly half (45%) of UK employees expressed willingness to switch jobs for roles that leverage AI more effectively, while 35% reported having received salary increases or promotions due to their AI utilisation.

Freshworks' findings suggest a growing demand for AI, with respondents viewing it not only as a useful tool but as an essential ally in their work. Since the onset of 2024, 50% of employees have developed a more favourable opinion of AI, citing improved understanding (53%) and increased utility in their roles (46%) as reasons for this shift.

For many UK workers, AI has become indispensable, with over a third (37%) indicating that they would be unable to manage their workload without it. Furthermore, almost all employees utilising AI (98%) have reported time savings, which they then dedicate to enhancing productivity (72%), engaging in creative or complex tasks (62%), and mentoring others (64%).

The survey shows that globally, 92% of employees wish to offload some work responsibilities to AI, highlighting the inadequate nature of a passive approach to AI investment. Freshworks emphasises that even modest AI adoption can lead to significant talent redeployment and improved growth prospects.

Businesses are recognising the benefits of AI, with three in five (61%) organisational leaders globally noting an increase in AI adoption over the past six months, and 54% planning further investment in AI in 2025.

More than half (56%) of employees believe that AI has enhanced their department's success.

Respondents also demonstrated a high demand for AI access by expressing their readiness to forego certain workplace privileges such as remote work (37%) and company holiday parties (40%). A common sentiment among over a third (38%) was the inability to manage workloads without AI's support.