Cognizant Finds 80% of Employees Want More AI Use at Work

Cognizant said in a press release that 80% of employees want to use AI more than their current jobs permit. Its workplace study calls the difference between employee willingness and permitted use the "Activation Gap."

Between 72% and 82% of workers across the study's employee groups said their current AI tools did not meet their needs. Even among the most satisfied group, only 28% reported satisfaction with available tools. Missing context and limited customization were the most common constraints cited by some of the heaviest and fastest adopters.

The research also found differences in training. Among the fastest adopters, 81% rated training as effective and 83% completed it, compared with 56% and 53% among employees least inclined to use AI. Despite stronger training results, 87% of the fastest adopters said they use unsanctioned tools when approved options fall short.

Cognizant estimates that a uniform 5% increase in global labor productivity could add about $6 trillion to global GDP. The company identified tools adapted to specific work contexts and training tailored to different employee groups as ways to increase workplace AI use.