Research from The Access Group, has revealed that 35 per cent of workers admit to using AI covertly to do tasks they were supposed to do themselves and didn’t tell their boss, posing questions about the security of AI in the workplace.
This figure jumps to 55 per cent among 18-29 year-olds, with over a quarter (26 per cent) confessing they’ve done this ‘many times’. In contrast, only 14 per cent of over-60s admit to having used AI to gain an advantage.
The research, outlined in the ‘AI at Work’ report, also found that generative AI is rapidly transforming the workplace. Where AI tools are available, 59 per cent of UK workers report reduced stress in the workplace.
The survey, involving 1,134 employees across 12 industries, suggests that AI may hold the key to reversing a 15-year rise in workplace-related anxiety. Since 2008, the number of UK workers reporting stress, depression or anxiety has more than doubled, reaching 875,000 in 2023.
“AI could free us for more leisure time, take care of annoying mundane tasks or give teams time to connect and support each other on a more human level,” said Dr Phil Parker, a health & happiness expert. “For people who are neurodiverse or suffering from anxiety, AI could be a gift. It could take over tasks that overwhelm us and be easily trained to support our differing needs, be tailored to the best way to communicate with us and, research has shown, has the benefit of being free of the judgement or opinions some humans bring.
“AI will be a feature of all our futures,” Dr Parker added. “Employers can best help staff feel part of this future through open and effective communication about both the benefits and other changes these advances will bring.”
The research highlights that workers in tech (74 per cent) and finance (68 per cent) are leading the adoption of AI tools, with those in health, social care, and the public sector (45 per cent) quickly catching up. In fact, 82 per cent of respondents across all industries said AI helps them produce better work, a testament to the technology’s transformative potential.
However, confidence in using AI varies widely. According to the survey, men are twice as likely as women to rate their confidence with AI as 10 out of 10 (4 per cent vs. 2 per cent, respectively). Conversely, 3.3 per cent of women gave themselves the lowest possible confidence score of 1, slightly higher than the 2.4 per cent of men who did the same.
Generational differences are even more pronounced. 11 per cent of Gen-Z (18-24 year-olds) rated themselves highly confident in using AI tools, nearly double the 6 per cent of Gen-X (45-59 year-olds). Among older employees, confidence declines further, with just 2 per cent of over-60s scoring themselves highly.
Despite these confidence gaps, AI’s ability to improve workplace outcomes is broadly recognised. With 82 per cent of employees acknowledging AI’s impact on the quality of their work, it’s clear that the technology is being embraced as a tool for productivity and innovation. Yet, the evolving role of AI raises questions about its integration, particularly across different industries, genders and age groups.
The findings come as The Access Group continues to roll out Access Evo, its AI-enabled business software platform that operates in a secure, closed environment.
Marko Perisic, Chief Product and Engineering Officer at The Access Group remarked: “The research underscores our view that employees see AI not just as a tool but as a game-changer, enabling them to shift their focus to more meaningful, human-centred tasks. By automating routine and administrative functions, AI frees up time for employees to engage in creative and strategic work, fostering both personal fulfilment and workplace innovation.
“This is why AI integration is so transformative – it enhances workflows, boosts efficiency, and reduces the fear of falling behind in an ever-evolving tech landscape. The findings make it clear: AI is not just reshaping how we work, it’s redefining what we can achieve. With Access Evo, organisations can harness the power of AI to reduce employee stress, boost productivity and allow teams to focus on high-value, purpose-driven activities.”
For the full survey report, visit AI at Work.
