Swiss workforce reluctant to use AI: Slack study reveals opportunities and hurdles
According to the Slack Workforce Index, almost half of Swiss employees use artificial intelligence, but many do so in secret. Uncertainty and a lack of training are hindering acceptance, even though AI has the potential to transform work processes.
The Slack Workforce Index shows that 47% of Swiss employees use AI in their work, while 53% are open to AI taking over certain tasks. Nevertheless, every second person feels uncomfortable admitting the use of AI to their superiors - for fear of being seen as lazy or incompetent. These inhibitions illustrate the uncertainty in dealing with the technology.
Education gap and acceptance problems
The study shows a clear discrepancy between the importance of AI and the lack of training provided by employers. For example, 50 percent of Swiss employees have spent less than five hours learning how to use AI. Worldwide, a third lack any guidance on how to use it. Training is crucial: employees with AI training have a 13 percentage point higher usage rate.
Potential and expectations
Despite the uncertainties, Swiss employees recognize the potential of AI. Eighty percent want to become AI experts, and 81 percent state that an employer's ability to provide AI tools is an important factor when looking for a job. Above all, employees expect the time gained through AI to relieve them of administrative tasks and allow them to focus more on skills acquisition and ongoing projects. Managers, on the other hand, prioritize further training and innovation.
Management perspective
Christina Janzer, SVP of Research and Analytics at Slack, emphasizes: "Managers must not only drive the introduction of AI agents, but also establish clear guidelines and training. This is the only way to reduce uncertainty and exploit the full potential of the technology."
Methodology and background
The survey was conducted among 509 Swiss employees and more than 17,000 respondents worldwide. The aim was to analyze the acceptance and use of AI. Slack, a productivity platform from Salesforce, supports companies with tools that promote collaboration and automation.
