From excitement over the latest tools to speculation about job security and debates over potential benefits and risks, we hear a lot about AI from leaders. But despite AI’s omnipresence in the news and at work, we haven’t heard much about what it means for today’s knowledge workers. What have their experiences with AI been like so far, what challenges have they encountered, and how has AI shaped their hopes, worries, and goals for the future?
To find out, we surveyed over 8,000 knowledge workers across seven global markets. Our survey finds that their views of AI often diverge from assumptions and headlines, and offer important insights for leaders as they navigate an increasingly AI world. Let’s dive in.
AI usage lags, with 35% of workers citing “nonexistent” skills
Given all the excitement about AI in the workplace, it’s easy to assume that knowledge workers have fully embraced these tools. However, our survey uncovers surprising gaps in usage: 35% of workers describe their AI skills as “nonexistent.” This trend is consistent across each market surveyed, with 34% of U.S. workers saying the same.
Furthermore, we find that over half (54%) of global workers say they do not have the time or resources needed to learn how to maximize AI’s potential for their role. One-third of global knowledge workers say they don’t use AI at all, with some differences across markets: only 31% in the U.K. and 35% in the U.S. agree, compared to 41% in France and 44% in Japan.
As employees struggle to find their footing, AI imposter syndrome is taking hold: Workers are 75% more likely to rate their own skills as “nonexistent” than to say the same about their teammates. Indeed, across all markets we find that workers believe their AI skill level is lower than that of their team, manager, colleagues on other teams, and company leaders.
We find that AI etiquette is a moving target in this time of ongoing change. Twenty-five percent of global workers admit to exaggerating their AI abilities, while 30% downplay how much they use AI at work. And one in five workers can’t shake the feeling that it feels like “cheating” to use AI, although there is some regional variation: while 25% of Australians agreed with this, the number drops to 21% in the U.S. and only 13% in Japan.
Half of workers are still unsure of when to use AI
Although workers are optimistic about AI’s potential, they are still sorting out what this means for their roles — and even for their organization overall. Seventy-six percent of global knowledge workers believe that AI could benefit their role, yet 54% struggle to know when to use it. Once again, we find these trends to be consistent across markets.
Adding to the confusion, workers are getting mixed signals from their organizations. Thirty-nine percent report that their company often abandons AI efforts, and 46% agree that there is more talk than action when it comes to AI at their organization.
That being said, there are steps companies can take now to ease the AI transition. Here are the top three things workers report that leaders can do to help them feel more confident about adopting AI:
- Offer formal trainings (45%)
- Clarify the company’s strategy for AI adoption (37%)
- Communicate the business benefits of AI (35%)
Workers say AI can boost wellbeing, collaboration, creativity
It’s time to move past the idea that workers are scared of AI — if anything, they’re enthusiastic about its potential. While 33% of workers report feeling anxious or stressed out about AI, 61% say that it makes them feel excited and energized. So what do they think AI can do for them?
For all the talk about AI’s ability to offload repetitive tasks and boost efficiency, many workers are just as excited about the emotional impact. A majority of workers agree that AI can improve wellbeing (61%) and job satisfaction (62%) — which, in turn, can bolster productivity and innovation.
Here are the biggest benefits of AI so far, according to global workers:
- Improved productivity (44%)
- Enhanced creativity (34%)
- Better communication (29%)
Moving forward, workers predict that AI can help support collaboration (32%), as well as reduce stress and burnout (29%).
42% of workers plan to use their AI skills to get a new job
Forget the idea that AI is coming for jobs: Today’s knowledge workers see it as a potential career catapult. Fifty-six percent say they are already better off today than one year ago due to their new AI abilities, and 69% plan to upskill on AI in 2025. To workers, the need for AI will only rise: globally, 73% predict that they will use AI more this year, particularly workers in the U.K. (79%), the Netherlands (75%), and U.S. (74%).
But make no mistake: These workers are also looking out for themselves. In today’s tight job market, workers are eager to stand out — and 66% believe their AI skills will make them more competitive. Four in 10 say they will reconsider their career plans because of AI this year, and 44% intend to leverage their AI skills to find a new job.
Gen Z remains skeptical, while Millennials embrace AI
Despite being digital natives, Gen Z emerges as the most hesitant generation with AI. Globally, 46% of Gen Z knowledge workers don’t use it at all, compared to only 33% of Millennials. Similarly, 43% Gen Z workers describe their AI skills as “nonexistent” — more than any other age group. They are also the most likely to disagree that AI can benefit their role: 30% agree with this, compared to 21% of Millennials.
In fact, across a variety of measures we find that Gen Z is more negative than their Millennial colleagues: They are less likely to say AI has made them better off professionally, improved the quality and speed of their work, or to agree that their company provides adequate training in AI.
This pattern applies to the effective impact of AI. While 56% of Gen Z says AI makes them feel excited and can boost wellbeing, the numbers jump to 65% among Millennials. Overall, Gen Z reports weaker gains from AI, from improved productivity to creativity, communication, collaboration and focus.
Is the youngest generation of workers waiting for AI to prove its mettle or do they need companies to take action? It’s too early to tell, but leaders should be mindful of this emerging generational divide.
Workers are poised for AI, but leaders need to guide the way
Our survey leaves no doubt that global knowledge workers are ready and willing to embrace AI, but they can’t do it alone.
Even though it seems like AI is everywhere, usage lags among a significant minority of workers — and many aren’t touching AI at all. This isn’t a case of luddite holdouts, however. We find that the majority of workers believe they are better off because of AI and are excited to continue building their skills in 2025. Indeed, they are bullish about AI’s ability to boost everything from productivity, creativity, and collaboration to wellbeing and job satisfaction. And, significantly, many have caught onto the fact that AI skills will make them even more competitive in today’s job market.
Interestingly, we find clear evidence of a generational divide between Gen Z and Millennials. While Gen Z is less positive about AI on multiple measures, Millennials are embracing it head-on. As the year continues, this is a division to watch.
We believe that this survey offers key learnings for leaders as they navigate the next stage of AI adoption. Workers are excited by what they’ve seen, but want to be part of what comes next. This means moving from ad hoc AI adoption to formal opportunities for training, deeper insights into organizational plans for AI, and a closer look at the potential business benefits.
And when knowledge workers and leaders come to embrace these new AI tools, anything is possible.
Methodology: In January-February 2025, Miro surveyed 8,094 full-time employed knowledge workers across diverse industries and company sizes, and from seven global markets (N=1,000 for Australia, France, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and N=2,000 for United States).
