Workers withhold AI expertise from colleagues to maintain competitive advantage

A survey of 13,276 workplace AI users across multiple countries found that 38 percent are keeping their most effective AI prompts and techniques private to gain a professional edge. The research indicates widespread workplace gatekeeping behavior, with nearly half of respondents motivated by not wanting colleagues to benefit from the same productivity advantages. Additionally, 41 percent of AI users worry about managers discovering how much time and effort the technology saves them, creating anxiety about future performance expectations.

The survey encompassed over 13,000 employees across six major regions—the UK, US, Canada, Australia, the EU, and Latin America—all of whom regularly integrate AI tools into their daily work. Beyond prompt hoarding, the research revealed a broader pattern of concealment: more than one-third of respondents have hidden their AI usage from colleagues entirely, while one-fifth have deliberately obscured these capabilities from management. This secrecy stems partly from concerns about shifting performance benchmarks; workers fear that once employers recognize AI's time-saving potential, expectations for output and speed will increase proportionally.

The tension extends beyond individual competition. According to Use.AI's leadership, organizations face a structural challenge: employees recognize that sharing productivity innovations weakens their personal competitive position while benefiting the company overall. This creates a misalignment between organizational goals and individual incentives, potentially stalling the collaborative knowledge-sharing that typically drives workplace efficiency gains.