Using AI at the workplace
Research results on using AI at the workplace
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), a recent report reveals an alarming trend. That means employees are increasingly disguising their AI-generated work as their own.
In a comprehensive survey conducted by Salesforce of 14,000 full-time employees across 14 countries (Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nordic, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States), a whopping 64% admitted to presenting AI-generated work without proper attribution.
This fact highlighted the pressing issue of the lack of clear organizational guidelines for the use of generative AI. The survey found that 64% of respondents engage in such acts due to lack of defined guidelines regarding the use of generative AI tools.
As generative AI grows in popularity, it is imperative that companies establish clear guidelines. Currently, 28% of workers are using generative AI in the workplace, and more than half of them are using it without formal approval.
Furthermore, he further stated that 32% expressed their intention to integrate generative AI into their workflows in the near future. These findings are part of Salesforce’s broader research series “The Promises and Pitfalls of AI at Work.”
A compelling motivation for the increasing adoption of generative AI is its clear impact on productivity. A whopping 71% of users say it makes them more efficient at work, and 58% believe it helps increase engagement.
Interestingly, this study examines the personal motivations of employees using generative AI. Almost half of respondents expressed the belief that developing generative AI expertise would not only increase job satisfaction, but could also make them more attractive in the job market and potentially increase their income.
This positive outlook is in line with McKinsey’s prediction that generative AI could bring significant contributions to the global economy from $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually.
Security risks and lack of guidelines
Despite optimistic predictions, the lack of comprehensive guidelines poses significant security risks to businesses.
According to a Salesforce survey, 73% of respondents perceive that there are inherent security risks in generating AI. Concerns range from inaccurate results to potential infringement of intellectual property rights.
A breakdown of the survey data shows that India leads the way in the use of unauthorized generative AI tools, with 64% of employees surveyed using the tools to advance their careers.
In contrast, the Netherlands had the lowest infection rate, with only 43% of workers using unapproved tools.
A lack of clearly defined usage policies exacerbates these risks, with an astonishing 79% of companies having such policies in place. Of these, 15% have a loosely defined policy, 37% have no policy at all, and 27% are not aware of an existing policy.
Unethical use of generative AI
As the use of fraudulently generative AI tools increases, so too does the frequency with which unethical behavior occurs among employees. Almost two-thirds (64%) admitted to passing off generative AI-generated work as their own.
Furthermore, 41% of workers confessed that they would consider exaggerating their generative AI skills to secure job opportunities.
A key issue highlighted by the survey is the lack of training on the ethical use of generative AI. Almost 70% of workers have no training on how to safely and ethically use generated AI in the workplace.
Paula Goldman, Chief Ethics and Humane Uses Officer at Salesforce, helps employees understand and address the risks associated with AI while leveraging her AI innovations to advance their careers. He emphasized the importance of clear policies.
In summary, the ethical use of generative AI in the workplace is at a crossroads. Clear policies, comprehensive training, and increased awareness of potential risks are essential for companies to responsibly address this evolving landscape.