83% of UK Workers say AI and Automation will Enable More Impactful Work

Slack today released data revealing that almost one third (30%) of the average working day in the UK is lost to performative over impactful work aligned to company goals. 37% of UK workers also believe that their productivity is measured on visibility (hours spent in the office or online) rather than performance.

Based on a survey of over 2,000 desk workers in the UK, and conducted as part of Slack’s global State of Work Report 2023, these insights highlight how automation and AI may provide solutions workers need to thrive. 

While 38% of UK workers cite staying motivated as a challenge to staying productive, 83% say that having the right technology to collaborate would streamline and accelerate time-consuming and mundane tasks to enable more impactful work. Citing the benefits of AI and automation specifically:

• 59% say they can achieve more with less time and resources
• 32% say it improves their work life balance
• 25% say it improves their engagement at work 

International comparisons show that the UK is falling behind other countries including Germany, France, India and Singapore when it comes to harnessing the efficiency benefits that AI and automation innovations offer.

Despite recognising the benefits of these technologies, 52% of UK workers say their organisations are less tech savvy when it comes to implementing them. A minority (26%) are early adopters, but most of these companies need to do more to streamline and optimise processes through a central productivity platform. 

UK productivity has long been a challenge. With AI and automation, organisations can start piecing together the productivity puzzle by streamlining the mundane tasks that drain days of value.

Chris Mills Head of Customer Success, Slack

“By deploying a productivity platform with AI and automations built-in, executives can increase impact, empower employees to deliver on the work that matters to them, and create a clear return for their businesses,” added Mills.

Soundbites:

“AI is redefining how we work. But we have to build work cultures underpinned by psychological safety so that employees use AI to their advantage, instead of worrying that AI will replace them. That’s why employees should be humble and vulnerable about their weaknesses and strengths so that businesses can train and upskill them; showing employees how to use AI to support productivity by freeing them to focus on the work that matters most.” – Dr Alexandra Dobra-Kiel, Behave

“AI is an emerging opportunity for a lot of businesses and teams. We need to keep lines of communication open as we start deploying these tools so that we can listen to feedback, refine approaches and keep improving efficiency. Keeping an open mind and embracing flexibility (and shifting strategies if needed) will be key as we all start integrating AI into our working lives.” – Tom Bennett, Senior Director, Workplace Technology, Checkout.com

“To untap AI’s vast potential to bolster productivity, we have to be responsible in how we develop it. That means having principles that guide use of AI to ensure it helps humanity thrive. This combination of AI, human ingenuity and decision-making, and accountability will help businesses unleash their potential and drive productivity in a way that benefits everyone.” – Sanj Bhayro, GM of EMEA, Asana

More information:

• Dive deeper into the Slack State of Work Report here
• Learn more about Slack and how it connects teams, apps, and partners all on one productivity platform 
• Read how automation can save companies money and drive productivity across the business here

Research methodology

Salesforce’s Slack conducted this survey of 2,027 desk workers in the UK in partnership with Qualtrics between February 24 and March 21, 2023. This was part of a global survey; the total sample size was 18,149 desk workers and executives across sectors in the following countries: United States (3,115), Australia (2,034), France (2,039), Germany (2,032), United Kingdom (2,027), India (2,039), Singapore (1,341), Japan (1,658), and South Korea (1,864).