Today, CDW Canada, a leading provider of technology solutions and services for Canadian organizations, released new research exploring how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping Canadian workplaces. Uncharted Innovation: The Rise of Unofficial AI Tool Usage Among Canadian Office Workers report contains research conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum, including 1,000 office workers across businesses of varying sizes and industries throughout Canada.
Employee driven adoption is outpacing organization policies
As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become even more accessible, employees are increasingly leveraging GenAI to enhance productivity and explore new workflows. However, much of this adoption occurs informally without approval or guidance from their organizations, as nearly half (47 percent) of Canadian employees admitted to using unregulated AI tools. Additionally, over a third (33 percent) of these unregulated users engage with AI tools weekly, signaling a strong demand for accessible organization-approved AI solutions.
The survey found employees feel more confident using AI when their organization takes the lead. Many (61 percent) Canadian employees report feeling comfortable with workplace AI tools when they are officially implemented by their employer, compared to only 43 percent in workplaces without approved AI tools. Additionally, 54 percent of employees without access to AI tools indicated an interest in using them if implemented first by their organization.
As demand and unregulated use continue to surge, organizations will need to adapt to remain competitive and retain Millennial and Gen Z talent, as over half (61 percent) of younger employees aged 18 to 34 are adopting AI tools, significantly above the national average of 45 percent. This presents an opportunity for employers to shape the use of AI within their organization, ensuring security while meeting the rising demand for innovative solutions.
Unregulated use high amongst mid-level and senior-level employees
As Canadian employees increasingly rely on GenAI tools for tasks involving sensitive data, many organizations are left vulnerable due to the absence of guidance and policies. The survey found that mid and senior-level employees are the biggest users of unapproved GenAI tools. Over a third of mid-level (38 percent) and senior-level (37 percent) employees report using these tools without workplace approval. Without secure platforms and clear guidelines, organizations face risks to data security and reputation that they may not be aware of.
GenAI governance increases pressure on IT teams
Organizations are constantly contending with everchanging technology and the unknowns as AI applications evolve. Internal IT teams are bearing the burden of AI adoption, often without the resources or expertise needed to manage its unique challenges.
The report found that while 36 percent of organizations are planning to implement AI tools, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) have yet to enlist third-party support.
To learn more about the opportunities and challenges Generative AI presents to organizations, download the report here.
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This entry was posted on November 19, 2024 at 11:44 am and is filed under Commentary with tags CDW. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Top-down Approach to Generative AI is Crucial as Canadian Employees Surpass Employers in Adoption: CDW
Today, CDW Canada, a leading provider of technology solutions and services for Canadian organizations, released new research exploring how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping Canadian workplaces. Uncharted Innovation: The Rise of Unofficial AI Tool Usage Among Canadian Office Workers report contains research conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum, including 1,000 office workers across businesses of varying sizes and industries throughout Canada.
Employee driven adoption is outpacing organization policies
As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become even more accessible, employees are increasingly leveraging GenAI to enhance productivity and explore new workflows. However, much of this adoption occurs informally without approval or guidance from their organizations, as nearly half (47 percent) of Canadian employees admitted to using unregulated AI tools. Additionally, over a third (33 percent) of these unregulated users engage with AI tools weekly, signaling a strong demand for accessible organization-approved AI solutions.
The survey found employees feel more confident using AI when their organization takes the lead. Many (61 percent) Canadian employees report feeling comfortable with workplace AI tools when they are officially implemented by their employer, compared to only 43 percent in workplaces without approved AI tools. Additionally, 54 percent of employees without access to AI tools indicated an interest in using them if implemented first by their organization.
As demand and unregulated use continue to surge, organizations will need to adapt to remain competitive and retain Millennial and Gen Z talent, as over half (61 percent) of younger employees aged 18 to 34 are adopting AI tools, significantly above the national average of 45 percent. This presents an opportunity for employers to shape the use of AI within their organization, ensuring security while meeting the rising demand for innovative solutions.
Unregulated use high amongst mid-level and senior-level employees
As Canadian employees increasingly rely on GenAI tools for tasks involving sensitive data, many organizations are left vulnerable due to the absence of guidance and policies. The survey found that mid and senior-level employees are the biggest users of unapproved GenAI tools. Over a third of mid-level (38 percent) and senior-level (37 percent) employees report using these tools without workplace approval. Without secure platforms and clear guidelines, organizations face risks to data security and reputation that they may not be aware of.
GenAI governance increases pressure on IT teams
Organizations are constantly contending with everchanging technology and the unknowns as AI applications evolve. Internal IT teams are bearing the burden of AI adoption, often without the resources or expertise needed to manage its unique challenges.
The report found that while 36 percent of organizations are planning to implement AI tools, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) have yet to enlist third-party support.
To learn more about the opportunities and challenges Generative AI presents to organizations, download the report here.
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This entry was posted on November 19, 2024 at 11:44 am and is filed under Commentary with tags CDW. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.