Employees and employers alike believe AI positively affects their work environment, thinking that the technology can have a transformative impact on job satisfaction, productivity, and career progression, according to a new report from Unisys.

Unisys’ report, The AI Equation: 2024 AI Business Impact Research, surveyed employers and their workers across the UK, US, Germany, and Australia, and found almost three-quarters (71%) believe AI has increased their job satisfaction, reporting more fulfilment at work as AI is integrated into their daily tasks.

Even more, (83%) thought that using AI helped in their productivity, with 44% of employees who have saved time by using AI investing some of that “found” time in training or professional development.

Workers now consider AI skills to be an essential part of their career aspirations, with 79% believing better AI skills leads to faster career progression, and 61% thinking that AI will lead to more job creation within their fields.

Employers share a similarly positive view. Almost all (93%) of executives believe AI will be a permanent fixture in their organizations’ strategies, with 89% expecting their company’s use of AI to increase in the next year. 

Further investments in AI are being driven by the potential of much bigger returns, with 30% of business leaders reporting that AI has already offered them a competitive advantage, and 73% considering AI adoption critical for long-term competitiveness.

Those returns are already becoming apparent, as 86% of companies with a Chief AI Officer said they had made significant time savings, and companies are now set to use the technology in their strategic planning and investment decisions.

“Think of AI as the ultimate co-worker who never sleeps, always ready to boost efficiency and spark innovation,” said Brett Barton, vice president and global AI practice leader at Unisys.

“By automating mundane processes, AI allows employees to engage in more meaningful work, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Our research shows that when AI is at the heart of business strategy, it not only ramps up productivity but also opens up exciting new career paths and job opportunities.” 

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There has been a lot of focus on the potential gains to be made by integrating AI into the workplace, with earlier research finding three-quarters of UK decision makers think that AI will lead to the greatest productivity boom in a century, and C-suite executives indicating that the technology could lead to an average revenue increase of 270%.

Across the wider economy, greater AI adoption could lead to a potential £119 billion windfall in productivity, while individual business leaders could save the equivalent of 140 working days a year, and employees the equivalent of 92 working days.