Generative artificial intelligence, driven by tools like conversational chatbots such as our online ChatGPT on Yiaho, is sparking unprecedented excitement in the professional world.
The promises are enticing:
- productivity gains,
- process optimization,
- reduction of repetitive tasks…
Yet, a recent study highlights a much more nuanced reality. Despite the growing adoption of AI in companies, its impact on economic performance and the daily lives of workers seems far less spectacular than announced. This article, written by the Yiaho team, explores these surprising findings and their implications for the future of work.
Generative AI: Rising adoption, but limited effects?
In many countries, AI is gradually becoming part of professional practices. In France, more than one in three companies is integrating or developing AI solutions, while in the United States, this figure is close to 60%.
These technologies, often touted for their ability to transform organizations, are nevertheless far from revolutionizing financial results or productivity, according to a Danish study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).
By analyzing data from 25,000 employees across 7,000 companies in Denmark, researchers found that the use of AI chatbots has not led to significant upheavals.
Neither company revenues nor hours worked saw any notable variations.
On average, employees using AI saved about 3% of their time. A modest gain, far from the radical transformations promised by AI’s staunchest advocates.
Read more on this topic: Does anti-plagiarism software detect text generated by ChatGPT?
Saving time, but for what?
While generative AI does indeed free up time, the way this time is reinvested is questionable. According to the study, more than 80% of the time saved is spent on other professional tasks, often more complex or creative ones.
However, less than 10% of employees report using this surplus for breaks or personal time. This suggests that AI, rather than reducing workload, redistributes priorities without necessarily easing the pressure on workers.
An unequal redistribution of benefits?
Another striking point of the study concerns the distribution of AI-related benefits.
Although some employees observed more marked productivity gains, these efforts do not systematically translate into financial benefits for them.
Only a fraction, estimated between 3% and 7%, of productivity gains is redistributed in the form of salary increases. This finding raises questions about how companies value employee contributions in a context where AI is becoming a common tool.
Why such a limited impact from artificial intelligence?
Several factors may explain these mixed results.
- First, generative AI, while powerful, remains a tool whose effectiveness depends on its integration into existing processes. Poorly calibrated adoption or a lack of team training can limit its benefits.
- Second, expectations surrounding AI may be oversized. Chatbots, while useful for automating certain tasks, do not yet replace human creativity or complex decision-making in many sectors.
- Finally, Denmark, with its flexible but structured labor market, might reflect specific dynamics that do not necessarily apply to other contexts.
See also: For an experiment, AIs manage a company from A to Z. Here are the results
Toward a more strategic adoption of AI?
These conclusions do not mean that generative AI lacks potential. Instead, they invite us to rethink its integration into the professional world.
To maximize its benefits, companies could invest more in employee training so they can fully master these tools. Furthermore, a reflection on the redistribution of productivity gains seems necessary to ensure that AI benefits both organizations and their teams.
AI, still a tool to be tamed?
Generative AI, despite its growing adoption, has not yet fulfilled all its promises in the workplace. Time savings, while real, remain modest, and their financial benefits for employees are limited.
These results call for a more thoughtful and targeted use of AI, so that it becomes a true lever for transformation rather than just a technological gadget. In the future, the success of AI at work will depend on our ability to integrate it intelligently into our practices while ensuring its advantages benefit everyone.
Source:
