Majority of Employees Want More Access to AI Than Their Jobs Allow
A new Cognizant study highlights a significant disparity between employees' desire to use artificial intelligence (AI) and the extent their jobs allow it, termed the 'Activation Gap.' The research suggests that this gap is hindering potential global economic gains. If addressed effectively through customization and integration of AI tools into workflows, an estimated $6 trillion could be added to world GDP—equivalent to Japan's economy. Employees are generally more willing than organizations to adopt AI, but poor tool fit remains a major issue: up to 82% say their current AI tools don't meet their needs. The study identifies four employee archetypes based on attitudes toward AI adoption and finds that two groups—Navigators and Stalwarts—represent the majority of workers. Navigators are eager but constrained by organizational barriers, while Stalwarts require a clear business case to adopt AI. Additionally, there is a significant gap in how effective training programs are perceived across different employee types. Cognizant executives emphasize that context-specific tools and targeted interventions can help close the Activation Gap and unlock productivity gains. The research underscores the importance of aligning AI adoption with organizational workflows rather than relying on generic solutions.
Topics: AI adoption economic impact employee engagement workforce productivity