Survey shows AI use in workplaces grows slowly and unevenly
A survey of 1,105 employees in May 2026 found that only 38% use AI at work, up slightly from 35% the previous year. Adoption is often employee-driven, with only 55% of users saying their employer officially introduced the tool they use most. Gaps persist between office workers (49% use AI) and manual workers (25%).
The Konstanz AI study's third wave, surveying 1,105 employees in May 2026, shows adoption creeping from 35% to 38% annually. Employee initiative drives much of this growth—only about half of users work with tools their employers formally introduced. This suggests organizations lag in governance, training, and secure infrastructure.
Disparities remain stark across workforce segments. Knowledge workers (49%) use AI at roughly double the rate of manual workers (25%). Educational background correlates strongly: 56% of highly educated employees use AI versus 21% with less education. Small organizations offer minimal support—just 11% provide training and 10% have binding usage rules—while larger firms build more robust structures.
The uneven adoption pattern could deepen existing workplace inequalities. Knowledge workers and educated employees may gain productivity advantages that widen wage and career gaps, while manual workers risk being left behind. Small organizations lacking AI infrastructure may struggle to compete with larger firms. However, the gap between societal concern (40% expect labor market harm) and personal worry (17%) suggests workers feel individual security even amid broader uncertainty—a perception that could shift as automation impacts become more visible.