A new study from Slack’s Workforce Index has highlighted a significant trend in Singapore’s workplace: despite a clear uptick in AI utilisation, with 52% of employees using AI to enhance their job functions, nearly half of them are reticent to disclose this to their managers. This hesitance stems from fears of being perceived as incompetent, lazy, or as if they are cutting corners by relying on technology.
AI adoption grows, but concerns linger
While the integration of AI into daily work routines continues to grow globally, its adoption has slowed slightly over the past three months, climbing from 32% to 36%. This modest increase contrasts sharply with the enthusiasm observed in Singapore, where more than half of the workforce is not only using AI but also excited about its potential to replace routine tasks.
However, a significant barrier to further adoption appears to be the workplace culture surrounding AI usage. About 45% of Singaporean workers feel uncomfortable discussing their use of AI with their superiors. The underlying fear is that such admissions could lead to negative perceptions regarding their professional capability.
The potential benefits of AI in the workplace
McKinsey has projected that AI could boost corporate profits globally by US$4.4 trillion annually. Moreover, Salesforce has found that sales teams employing AI are 1.3 times more likely to experience a revenue increase than those who do not. These statistics underscore the potential benefits of AI, but realizing these benefits requires a supportive work environment where AI usage is encouraged and openly discussed.
Christina Janzer, ​​SVP of Research and Analytics at Slack, emphasized the importance of transparency and support from leadership regarding AI. “Too much of the burden today has been put on workers to figure out AI,” Janzer explained. “It’s important that leaders not only train workers to use AI but encourage employees to talk about it and experiment with AI out in the open.”
Disconnect between leadership goals and worker expectations
The study also uncovered a disconnect between executive priorities and employee expectations. While leadership focuses on upskilling and innovation, employees are more likely to use the time saved by AI on existing projects and administrative tasks. This misalignment suggests that while AI can free up time, how that time is best utilised remains a contentious issue.
Moreover, despite the eagerness to learn about AI, a significant portion of the workforce in Singapore has spent less than five hours in total on AI training. This lack of training could hinder further adoption unless employers take active steps to bridge this gap. Globally, workers with access to AI guidance reported a 13 percentage point increase in AI adoption since January, while those without such guidance only saw a 2 percentage point increase.
As AI continues to transform workplaces, the study underscores the need for clear guidelines and adequate training to ensure employees not only feel comfortable using AI but are also aligned with their company’s strategic goals.
