Although 52% of Singaporean workers leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in their roles, 45% are apprehensive about admitting this to their superiors. This reluctance stems from concerns that acknowledging AI usage might be seen as a sign of incompetence, laziness, or even dishonesty.
The new Workforce Index by Slack also reveals a misalignment between leadership and employee perceptions of how AI-driven time savings should be utilised.
Executives envision a future where employees leverage the time saved for learning, skill development, and innovative initiatives. However, Singaporean workers are more inclined to use the time to tackle existing core projects and administrative duties.
More needs to be done around AI training too. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of workers in Singapore have spent less than five hours learning how to use AI. Globally, 30% of workers have received no AI training, including self-directed learning or experimentation.
To attract and retain top talent, employers must invest in AI training and establish clear guidelines. Singaporean workers, in particular, are placing a strong emphasis on AI-enabled workplaces, with 87% considering a company's ability to provide and leverage AI tools as a key factor in their job search.
Additionally, global workers who received guidance on AI usage have experienced a 13% increase in AI adoption since January, compared to a mere 2% increase among those without guidance.
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“Too much of the burden today has been put on workers to figure out AI. It’s important that leaders not only train workers to use AI but also encourage employees to talk about it and experiment with AI out in the open,” says Christina Janzer, SVP of Research and Analytics at Slack.
She continues: “The arrival of AI agents – with clearly defined roles and guidelines – will also help with this, alleviating the ambiguity and anxiety many workers feel around using AI at work.”
