Lack of AI and automation adoption hinders worker productiveness: Slack report

A brand new report from Slack reveals that firms worldwide aren’t taking full benefit of applied sciences like synthetic intelligence (AI) and automation that might unlock new ranges of worker productiveness. Based mostly on responses from greater than 18,000 desk employees globally, the Slack State of Work report discovered that solely 23% of firms spend money on know-how to enhance productiveness, and solely 27% use AI instruments to realize this purpose.

In accordance with the research, many organizations nonetheless function with outdated work practices, instruments, and approaches that forestall staff from reaching their full potential.

“Many firms are caught in outdated methods of fascinated about productiveness,” Christina Janzer, SVP at Slack analysis and analytics, advised VentureBeat. “A part of the confusion comes from a rising schism between leaders and groups over tips on how to correctly outline and measure productiveness in right now’s atmosphere. Organizations must take a extra holistic method, and that features enabling staff to experiment with instruments and know-how to drive higher outcomes.”

Three tendencies shaping trendy workplaces

The report goals to focus on three tendencies which might be shaping the trendy office and driving worker productiveness: the underutilization of recent applied sciences akin to AI and automation, the transformation of workplace work and design within the period of hybrid work, and the direct affect of worker engagement and expertise improvement on productiveness.

Slack discovered that firms which have embraced AI are 90% extra more likely to report elevated productiveness ranges than those who haven’t. As well as, nearly all of staff surveyed (77%) consider that automating routine duties, akin to acquiring expense report approvals, would improve their productiveness.

Regardless of this potential, 60% of staff report that their firm has not applied AI instruments to assist their productiveness, and 43% say that their group has not adopted any technique of automation to make their work processes extra environment friendly or simpler.

“We’re simply starting to faucet into the potential of AI at work,” mentioned Janzer. “Nevertheless, our survey reveals a majority of staff are thinking about testing it out. Fifty-three % of employees mentioned utilizing generative AI would enhance their productiveness, though most aren’t presently utilizing it at work.”

The worldwide survey was carried out as a part of a collaborative effort between expertise administration platform Qualtrics and Salesforce’s Slack from February 24 to March 21, 2023. The pattern measurement comprised 18,149 people from numerous industries together with each desk employees and executives from areas together with the U.S. (3,115), Australia (2,034), France (2,039), Germany (2,032), the UK (2,027), India (2,039), Singapore (1,341), Japan (1,658) and South Korea (1,864).

The essence of AI and automation for streamlining productiveness

Janzer highlighted that the majority respondents (77%) acknowledge the advantages of automating repetitive duties in enhancing productiveness. Nevertheless, the research reveals that solely 45% of groups have applied automation to simplify or optimize their work processes.

“That’s a mismatch, and it may price firms that don’t transfer shortly to catch up,” she mentioned.

The survey findings point out that a number of firms nonetheless rely upon antiquated strategies to boost productiveness and monitor worker efficiency. Workers spend roughly 32% of their time on duties that don’t align with firm targets.  

“Firms like Stack Overflow take a look at a mix of inputs and outputs to measure their progress,” mentioned Janzer. “As a result of, no matter how a lot performative work you get rid of, most of us can consider some repetitive work that we try this isn’t priceless however needs to be completed in our jobs. That’s the place AI and automation grow to be extraordinarily priceless.”

Missed productiveness features

Janzer defined that quite a few organizations neglect the potential of using AI and automation to optimize and simplify tedious duties, resulting in missed productiveness features. That is important, as desk employees who’ve applied automation report saving as much as one month of labor per 12 months.

“Firms like LG AI Analysis in Seoul are utilizing generative AI to enhance information employees’ effectivity by automating repetitive duties, offering insights and suggestions for decision-making, and enabling higher collaboration in order that their staff can give attention to duties that require human intelligence and creativity,” Janzer added. “We’re studying extra concerning the potential advantages of those instruments day by day. So, firms who might not have jumped on board but will wish to catch up quick to maintain up.”

Slack cited the success of music platform Spotify’s promoting group, which utilized automated workflows to bolster collaboration throughout account groups. This initiative resulted in a 40% enhance in productiveness by mitigating the necessity for frequent conferences and lowering e-mail visitors.

Janzer emphasised that it’s essential to prioritize belief and security when using AI or another work software as we proceed to uncover the advantages of those applied sciences. To assist the accountable use of AI amongst prospects Salesforce has developed a robust give attention to constructing instruments that prioritize accuracy, security, honesty, empowerment and sustainability. 

Furthermore, Janzer mentioned that Salesforce has established an workplace of moral and humane use to handle inquiries and apprehensions about using applied sciences, AI included. 

Efficient methods to boost office collaboration 

The research reveals that one-third of executives observe metrics like work hours and e-mail communication, which solely 15% of staff understand as useful in bettering productiveness. 

“There’s rather more to productiveness than inputs alone,” mentioned Janzer. “It’s key to construct a tradition that measures efficiency based mostly on outcomes as a substitute of solely monitoring inputs like hours labored or emails despatched.”

The report additionally emphasizes the importance of enabling efficient hybrid work by offering staff with modern means to collaborate and talk. In accordance with the survey, staff require a versatile work schedule (52%), a definite workspace with extra assembly rooms and quiet areas (32%) and superior know-how to collaborate from any location (80%) to spice up productiveness.

Nevertheless, solely 21% of executives are modifying the bodily workplace to boost productiveness, and merely 19% encourage asynchronous work, which assists in lowering assembly occasions.

The post-pandemic workplace position

The position of the workplace has shifted within the post-pandemic world, mentioned Janzer. Prior to now, the workplace was the first location for all work, however now, staff primarily wish to use the area to collaborate. 

“The essential issue is to create office insurance policies with purposeful intent,” she added. “That features defining core collaboration hours, a block of time when teammates are anticipated to be accessible for conferences and real-time responses, in addition to time when individuals have extra flexibility to work in a method that’s greatest for them — whether or not that’s stepping away from their laptop to whiteboard, or doing heads-down focus work.”

Janzer talked about that integrating apps straight into Slack might help groups cut back context switching and full all their work in a single software, no matter their location. Moreover, Slack’s upcoming generative AI function SlackGPT will permit staff to summarize conversations and huddles, making catching up on unread messages acquired throughout working hours simpler, particularly for distributed groups.

The significance of psychological well-being for productiveness

One other intriguing discovering from the survey was that job satisfaction, engagement and psychological wellness are high elements that contribute to productiveness. 

In consequence, Salesforce recommends that leaders ought to give attention to each productiveness and wellness to realize optimum outcomes and believes that incorporating AI and automation instruments could be a vital element achieve this purpose.

“Clear, two-way conversations between leaders and staff assist firms perceive how individuals really feel about their work and workload and whether or not they have the right atmosphere to thrive, mentioned Janzer. “Setting staff up for achievement contains creating readability round expectations, establishing a time for focus work, and adopting the fitting instruments and know-how. So, don’t overlook the significance of motivating groups to create a wholesome and productive atmosphere.”