A new study from HP reveals that employees who use artificial intelligence (AI) at work are happier and more satisfied with their jobs, Local 12 reports.
The findings are part of HP’s second annual Work Relationship Index, which examines employee engagement and satisfaction in a changing labor landscape.
According to the report, only 28% of knowledge workers globally have a healthy relationship with their work. However, in the US, the figure has improved from 28% last year to 34% this year, largely due to an increase in AI usage. Anneliese Olson, HP’s senior vice president and managing director for North America, attributes this improvement to a significant rise in AI adoption. AI usage among knowledge workers jumped from 38% in 2022 to 66% in 2023, and those using AI scored 11 points higher in the Work Relationship Index.
“Talking to our customers, there’s a lot of experimentation with AI, both personally and in the workplace,” Olson said.
While AI adoption is still in its early stages, she believes workers will become more comfortable with the technology over time and will begin to realize its full benefits. The study suggests that AI, along with more personalized work experiences, has the potential to improve relationships with work.
HP’s survey found that 69% of knowledge workers are tailoring their use of AI to enhance productivity, indicating that AI could be a key factor in creating a more personalized work environment. Knowledge workers, a broad category defined by HP, include anyone who uses computing and technology tools in their job.
The Work Relationship Index identified six key drivers of a healthy work relationship, including corporate leadership, a sense of meaning and empowerment at work, and access to necessary skills and tools. Olson emphasized the connection between employee engagement and company performance.
“We know that when people are more engaged in their work, they feel better, and businesses get better results when their employees are included and engaged,” Olson stated.
Despite these positive findings, there are concerns about AI’s impact on the workplace. According to Gallup, 75% of Americans believe AI will take away jobs, and 77% do not trust businesses to use AI responsibly. Molly Kinder, a fellow at Brookings Metro and an expert on the labor market, acknowledged that AI will disrupt some jobs, but she noted that current AI technology, including generative AI, is more likely to augment roles rather than eliminate them.
“At this phase, we’re more likely to see AI enhancing jobs rather than replacing them,” Kinder said.
HP’s study supports this view, showing that 73% of AI users feel it makes their jobs easier, and six in 10 believe it improves their work-life balance. Additionally, nearly 70% of respondents said AI opens up new opportunities to enjoy their work, and over 70% believe a better understanding of AI could help advance their careers.
