- Workplace AI adoption favours senior staff, leaving junior employees without key tools
- 73% of managers use AI each month, but uptake among entry-level roles is just 32%
- Millennials, not Gen Z, are the most active users of AI technology at work
- Poor rollout of AI systems is linked to a 50% fall in staff productivity
New findings from global workforce platform Employment Hero reveal a deepening divide in how AI is used across UK businesses—one that places senior leaders firmly ahead while leaving many workers out of the equation.
The Work that Works report identifies a stark difference in access to and benefit from AI technology in the workplace. While 73% of senior leaders report using AI monthly, only a third of entry-level staff are doing the same.
Despite common narratives, it is not Gen Z but millennials who are the heaviest users of AI, taking the lead in integrating digital tools into their daily workflows.
This disparity is having measurable consequences. While decision-makers and seasoned professionals are benefiting from enhanced productivity, younger or lower-tier employees are often excluded due to a lack of training, guidance, or relevant tools.
One business leader commented on the challenge: “The installation of AI and making employees aware about how to use it, is the biggest challenge for our business nowadays,” said the Head of People at a company of 50–99 staff.
The report highlights that ineffective or poorly managed AI rollouts can negatively impact business performance. Workers who are sidelined from AI developments report a dramatic 50% decline in their personal productivity.
This challenge is especially acute for small businesses. Firms with fewer than 50 staff are adopting AI at much lower rates—despite technology being recognised as the top driver of output growth.
Compared with larger businesses, SMEs are:
- 28% less likely to invest in emerging technologies
- Far less likely to recruit for digital or technical skill sets
- More frequently caught in “survival mode” operations
The risk for these organisations is not just losing out on efficiency—it’s falling further behind in a competitive marketplace.
Beyond dispelling myths, the research shows that regular AI usage has a largely positive effect on workplace wellbeing. Of those who use AI tools consistently, 40% report feeling less stressed, and 38% feel their work quality has improved.
Kevin Fitzgerald, UK Managing Director at Employment Hero, says broader, inclusive AI adoption is urgently needed:
“AI is only delivering productivity gains for some, and that’s a huge problem.”
“For technology to drive meaningful change, it needs to be in the hands of everyone. That means investing not just in access to tools, but in the training, support and confidence people need to actually use them.”
“We need a trickle-down, human-centred approach to AI adoption. One that starts with leadership, but quickly and intentionally reaches every corner of the business.”
“Closing the AI advantage gap is essential – not just for the success of individual companies, but for improving productivity across the UK economy.”