A new report from Employment Hero shows that while AI tools can significantly boost employee output and wellbeing, uptake remains limited among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.
The Work That Works survey—covering 1,000 business leaders and 1,200 employees—found that 32% of professionals never use AI at work. Usage is heavily skewed by age group: 39% of Millennials (Gen Y) and 30% of Gen Z workers tap AI tools daily or several times a week, compared with just 17% of Gen X and 13% of Baby Boomers.
Early AI adopters report clear benefits. Of those using AI:
- 66% say it improves the quality of their output
- 62% feel more creative and less overwhelmed
- 57% procrastinate less
- 51% work fewer hours
Despite these gains, only 24% believe their company is making significant AI investments, highlighting a gap between individual usage and organisational support.
“For technology to drive meaningful change, it needs to be in the hands of everyone. That means investing not just in access to tools, but in the training, support and confidence people need to actually use them,” said Kevin Fitzgerald, Managing Director at Employment Hero.
“Closing the AI advantage gap is essential — not just for the success of individual companies, but for improving productivity across the UK economy. We need a trickle-down, human‑centred approach to AI adoption. One that starts with leadership, but quickly and intentionally reaches every corner of the business.”
Read the full report here.
