A new survey by Gusto, as reported by The Economic Times HRME, reveals an unexpected dynamic in AI adoption at work:
- 80% of U.S. employees say they’re using AI in their day-to-day tasks
- 36% consider AI essential to their workflow
- Yet 45% keep their usage secret from their managers
- 66% are paying for AI tools out of pocket, without employer support
- Only 26% report having any formal company AI policy or guidance
And there’s more:
- 25% admit to exaggerating their AI proficiency in job applications
- 47% are taking financial precautions (saving more, freelancing) amid concerns AI may displace their roles
While companies scramble to regulate and integrate AI, employees are already deep in the game—adopting tools independently, crafting their own workflows, and often leaving management out of the loop. It’s a quiet revolution, and leadership needs to catch up.