AI could help employees save a full workday a week, according to a new report by the LSE. The debate over AI usage within the workplace has repeatedly led us down conflicting paths, with some suggesting progress while others predicting nothing but complications. For the most part, there are definite benefits in turning to AI tools, bringing in a plethora of productivity gains by optimizing workflows and simplifying complex tasks. But there is a catch.
AI could save employees a full day of work per week, specifically when they’re provided with training to use these tools efficiently. Chasing the perks of AI without making the necessary investment is where many businesses are faltering today. As a result, the only way to truly benefit from the technology is to ensure that workers are equipped with the skills they need to put the tools to the test.
Employees with AI training could save almost a full day of work per week, boosting their productivity and efficiency in one fell swoop. (Image: Pexels)
AI Could Save Employees a Full Workday If They Receive the Training They Need
A new report from the London School of Economics, focused on Bridging the Generational AI Gap: Unlocking Productivity for All Generations, found that professionals who use artificial intelligence tools could save nearly 7.5 hours on average per week. This adds up to almost a full working day. This could lead to around £14,000 per employee per year in productivity gains, which is no small amount, especially when an entire workforce of employees is considered together.
Despite the benefits of AI in terms of productivity and a full day saved, the report found that 68% of employees have received no form of AI training over the last 12 months. Employees are certainly fearful of the technology and the many ways it is set to reshape their jobs, but most are keen to keep up with the technology and learn to navigate its use.
“For business leaders, the priority is clear: closing the AI training gap is one of the fastest ways to unlock measurable returns. Equipping employees with the right skills doesn’t just improve individual productivity – it drives sharper decision-making, accelerates innovation and creates stronger overall performance,” Dr Grace Lordan, Founding Director of The Inclusion Initiative at LSE, said in the report. “In an environment where every efficiency counts, organisations that act now will set themselves apart from those still waiting on the sidelines.”
Why Is Employee AI Training Necessary?
The LSE report also found that 93% of employees who receive AI training turn to using the technology in their roles, as opposed to the 57% who do so without any training. The data makes it clear that employees are learning how to navigate the technology on their own. Knowing this, it can feel more convenient to let them master it rather than invest additional resources to make it happen.
Such a strategy could lead to some gains, but it’s unlikely to be as substantial as the AI productivity that allows a full day to be saved. The report also said as much, explaining that employees who receive AI training are twice as productive, saving 11 hours per week, in comparison to those who are untrained, only saving 5 hours per week. The difference is clear to see.
Leaving employees to navigate this new technology on their own can have many downsides, from shadow AI use on tasks that aren’t designed for it to slower rates of learning and improvement. Many AI pilot programs at organizations have been found to fail because, after the initial investments, the employer and employees are equally unsure of what to do with this technology.
A Shorter Workweek Could Be A Possibility With AI Integration
While the study didn’t specifically dive into what all the benefits of employees saving a full workday with AI could be, it is possible that we could work towards shorter workweeks thanks to the saved time. This is easily one of the biggest advantages of AI technology from the perspective of employees, and a goal that many will be willing to work towards.
Many tech CEOs have alluded to the possibility, suggesting that once artificial intelligence simplifies some of the work we are tasked with day-to-day, there will be less pressure on workers to overwork themselves every single day. Such statements make many employees more comfortable with accommodating the new tech, even if such an eventuality is likely years away.
To make it possible, increased collaboration between employers and employees is essential, with employers providing the necessary training on AI to secure these hourly or daily productivity boosts.
It’s Time to Take Employee AI Training More Seriously
The introduction of any tool comes with a learning curve, and training can help quicken the pace of learning and also help ensure there are no incorrect takeaways from the attempt. The same is true for AI. Most individuals can enter prompts into ChatGPT and receive fairly decent responses, but for a deeper understanding of how to use more complex AI tools and what to do with the data, training must be a priority.
The relevance of training isn’t just noticeable in AI boosts to productivity, but also in terms of hiring employees with AI knowledge. A job notice requesting AI-literate candidates for a post might receive a handful of apt applications, but there is considerable uncertainty about what an AI-literate candidate means. Instead of firing workers only to spend resources on hiring niche candidates who fit the bill, it can be much easier to train and nurture talent internally.
This can be particularly beneficial for older workers, most of whom are just as willing to learn AI-centric skills as opposed to losing their jobs. “Equipping employees of all generations to use AI effectively and creating diverse AI teams helps remove age-based divides between employees, fosters collaboration, and drives stronger team outcomes,” Dr Daniel Jolles, Research Officer in Behavioural Science at The Inclusion Initiative at LSE, explained. From improving workflows through the incorporation of AI to increasing collaboration on a level playing field, there are many benefits to AI training that are currently being ignored.
Do you agree that AI training could help employees save a full workday, or is this an overly optimistic estimate? Share your thoughts with us. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.