Nine in 10 employees say AI rules are needed

Artificial intelligence use in workplaces is on the rise, with 67% of Australian employees using generative AI a few times a week, according to a new survey from GetApp.

Most companies are at least beginning to explore AI tools, with one third (35%) of employees saying they’re investigating how best to deploy the technology in their organisation.

GetApp surveyed almost 500 employees to assess how they use generative AI tools at work, whether company policies or regulations are in place, and if the technology has benefits and impacts employee productivity.

Employees recognise the need for generative AI policies, with nine in 10 respondents agreeing that there should be policies regulating generative AI tools in their workplace. Almost half (48%) believe there should be some guidelines and 44% favour the introduction of strict guidelines.

Just over half (52%) of those who openly use generative AI tools at work said their company already has policies in place. 34% say their company plans to implement them.

Of those with company guidelines already in place, 60% said they are established by complying with laws and regulations. In many cases, however, the impetus came from employee requests.

“As companies explore the application of generative AI tools in the workplace, they should ensure that current Australian regulations are applied as they do so and protect themselves with appropriate measures from misuse,” said Andrew Blair, Content Analyst at GetApp Australia.

According to the survey, 81% of those who use generative AI tools at work agree that timesaving is the main benefit. 79% say AI helps develop more innovative and creative work. 58% agree that content generated by AI software is better than human-generated content.

The use of generative AI in the workplace can potentially improve employee performance. 36% of employees say generative AI gives them more time to focus on higher-value tasks. However, only 15% cited productivity as an aspect of their work where generative AI is most effective.

The majority (83%) of employees tell their employer that they use generative AI tools at work. Of those who haven’t, 42% believe it is irrelevant and 29% are concerned their manager would question the quality of their work.

Image credit: iStock.com/Supatman