A new report has revealed that three-quarters (74%) of UK decision makers believe AI will help reverse the trend of lowering productivity levels and lead to the greatest productivity boom in a century.

This finding is from The AI Opportunity Report from TeamViewer – a global provider of remote connectivity and workplace digitalisation solutions – which provides insights into the attitudes of IT, OT and business decision makers worldwide towards AI.

AI’s Role in Empowering Individuals

Beyond productivity benefits, the research found that AI is proving pivotal for career advancement.

Seventy-six percent of UK respondents agree that AI allows them to focus on more high-level strategic work, while 77% say it has helped them acquire new skills they otherwise wouldn’t have learned.

Furthermore, the same number view AI as a key skill for enhancing their careers, highlighting how the technology can both ease daily tasks and foster professional growth.

Not only this, but AI is also viewed as a powerful tool for improving equality, including for those who’ve been locked out of certain roles or lines of activity through restrictive working models.

Three quarters (74%) of global respondents with disabilities or chronic illnesses believe AI can increase accessibility, while 68% of parents or caregivers agree that AI can help create equal job opportunities.

Constanze Backhaus, CHRO, TeamViewer, comments on the findings: “AI offers immense potential for fostering equal opportunities in the workplace by supporting employees in overcoming challenges and streamlining tasks at all levels.

“Beyond just enhancing productivity, these tools enable more seamless collaboration across departments and roles, ensuring that every individual, from desk workers to frontline staff, can contribute effectively to the organisation’s success.”

Time Savings and Financial Outcomes

As AI adoption grows – 82% of UK decision-makers now engage with AI at least weekly, a notable rise from last year’s 52% – the business results and benefits are becoming increasingly evident.

For instance, globally, IT professionals are leading the way in using AI tools, currently saving an average of 16 hours each month, compared to the six hours saved by public sector employees who the research shows are less advanced in their AI adoption.

Moreover, AI appears crucial for enhancing organisations’ financial outcomes; over two-thirds (69%) of UK decision makers believe that AI will have a favourable impact on revenue in the coming year, with C-level participants indicating that the technology could enable an average revenue increase of 270%.

Interestingly, AI can play a role in forecasting this, according to the report. In fact, 47% of UK respondents – and 70% of C-level executives – trust AI to forecast future business scenarios. While a third (32%) of UK decision makers and 61% of the C-level even trust AI to make decisions without human oversight.

Security Considerations, Training, and Practical Solutions

Despite the enthusiasm for AI, decision-makers are becoming more pragmatic about its use, including when it comes to security considerations and training – 69% of UK respondents say they use AI cautiously with security measures in place and 94% agree that more training is needed to mitigate AI risks.

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With this in mind, 81% of UK respondents expect more training will be provided in the next 6-12 months. However, confidence in their existing capabilities is already high; two-thirds (66%) of UK decision makers would be willing to make bets on their organisation’s ability to manage AI-related risks, with 48% of C-level executives even willing to wager a week or month’s pay.

Pragmatism about AI use extends to a desire for practical solutions. The majority of respondents in the UK (68%) agree that the AI hype cycle is over, and businesses now want practical applications that deliver real-world results.