One in three British workers is now using AI at work – but most say it’s barely making an impact
Despite the hype surrounding AI transforming workplaces, a new YouGov survey reveals a more muted reality for British employees.
While roughly one in three workers now incorporate AI tools into their jobs, the majority report that it handles only a tiny fraction of their workload and delivers limited overall benefits.
The data, published on Tuesday (10 March) found that 32% of British workers say they currently use AI technology or tools for their job. An additional 6% report having used it in the past but no longer doing so. That leaves a clear majority, over two-thirds, who have yet to integrate AI into their professional routines at all.
Among those who do use AI, the adoption appears shallow rather than revolutionary. A striking 60% of AI users say the technology handles “very little” of their overall job responsibilities. Just 34% report it covers “some” of their work, while a mere 6% claim AI manages “most” or “all” of what they do.
Frequency of use tells a similar story of measured integration. Only 35% of AI-adopting workers turn to these tools daily, with 43% using them several times a week or once a week, and 16% dipping in just once or twice a month.
When workers were asked about AI’s potential rather than current reality, responses suggested room for growth—but still not a complete overhaul. 58% believe AI could handle “some” of their current jobs, while 27% say “very little,” 10% “most,” and just 1% “all.”
What are workers using AI for?
The tasks where AI sees the most action are largely supportive rather than core or transformative:
- Summarising information (60% of users)
- Conducting research or gathering information (56%)
- Editing or checking text (56%)
- Brainstorming ideas (48%)
- Transcribing or summarising meetings (44%)
Other common uses include writing emails or letters (46%), generating internal documents (45%), collating data (37%), analysing data (36%), and planning or organising tasks (22%).
Popular tools reflect the consumer-grade dominance in workplaces. Microsoft Copilot leads at 58% among users, followed by ChatGPT (48%) and Google Gemini (17%). Other platforms trail in single digits.
Among users, 71% say they employ AI based on personal preference, their employer neither requires nor prohibits it. Only 25% use it because company policy mandates it, while a small but notable 11% admit to using tools their organisation frowns upon or has banned outright.
