A quarter of the workforce uses generative AI in their professional lives. This is according to a study by the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation. Compared to the previous year, the percentage increased only slightly. GenAI applications are increasingly used by young professionals and those with higher education. For 20% of employees, generative AI is still unknown.
Generative AI helps with creative tasks. Two-thirds of professional AI users receive useful results from the applications, saving them work time. Especially with difficult tasks in the creative field, artificial intelligence supports employees. More than half use AI tools at least weekly. They most commonly use ChatGPT, followed by Google Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot, which is also based on ChatGPT.
In companies, specially developed or customized AI systems are becoming increasingly relevant. They can be tailored to different needs and allow for the protection of sensitive data. Nearly a fifth of employees state that their employer already provides its own AI application. Guidelines and rules for employees on the use of generative AI do not yet exist in most companies. Of the companies whose employees work with artificial intelligence, 44% have such regulations.
Employees do not see their jobs threatened by AI. Only four percent of respondents fear that their profession will be replaced by generative AI systems in the next ten years. Last year, it was 11 percent. In contrast, nearly 40 percent expect their tasks to change during this period. At the same time, half of the workforce expects no impact from artificial intelligence on their job. The study also shows that employees who already work with such tools especially expect a change through AI.
Although respondents consider their jobs secure, 55 percent of them believe that the use of generative AI will lead to job losses. The complete study is available on the website of the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation.