Half of Global Workforce Using AI Weekly, Yet Frequent Users Question Their Productivity: ADP Research

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Half of workers globally use AI at least multiple times a week, with one in five (20%) using it nearly every day
16% of workers in Australia use AI daily, with 44% using it at least multiple times a week
Frequent AI users report higher engagement and lower negative stress than non-users, but are more likely to question their productivity.
People at Work 2026 is built on ADP Research's Global Workforce Survey, which captures responses from over 39,000 workers in 36 markets to understand the world of work at large and gauge worker sentiment.

AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE, 15 MAY, 2026 – Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday work, with half of workers surveyed globally using it multiple times a week, according to ADP Research’s latest People at Work 2026. One in five workers say they use AI almost daily, highlighting how quickly the technology has evolved into a routine workplace tool.

While 30% of workers who use AI daily in their work report feeling fully engaged, the research reveals a gap in perceptions toward AI productivity. Daily users are four times more likely to feel less productive than non-users, suggesting that frequent users may feel like they have achieved less as AI becomes more integrated into their daily work. As more checklist work is delegated to AI and workers transition to longer-term, strategic projects, organisations may need to reassess how productivity is tracked at work.

In Australia, the trend broadly mirrors the global findings. 16% of workers in Australia say they use AI nearly every day, while 44% use it at least multiple times a week. Workers in Australia are largely hesitant about AI, with only 13% expecting it to positively impact their job responsibilities in the coming year.

Kylie Baullo, General Manager for Australia, New Zealand and Japan at ADP said, “Australian workers are clearly embracing AI, but confidence in its value hasn’t caught up with adoption. That gap is critical.

What we’re seeing is a shift in how work gets done. As AI takes over routine tasks, employees are spending more time on complex, strategic work, which can feel less tangible and harder to measure. This can create the perception of reduced productivity, even when impact is growing.

For employers, the priority now is to close this gap by helping people build confidence in AI, through practical training, clearer use cases and redefining how productivity is measured. When organisations get this right, AI becomes not just a tool, but a catalyst for more meaningful and engaging work.”

Frequent AI Users Report Higher Engagement and Lower Stress

The use of AI can contribute to a more positive workplace experience. According to the report, 11% of daily AI users report experiencing negative stress, roughly half the rate of non-users (23%).

Frequent AI users also report stronger team dynamics. They are more likely to say they are part of a work team and more likely to report being on the “best team” at work. Daily users are also more likely than less frequent users to feel their jobs are safe from elimination, indicating a strong link between regular AI use and job confidence.

Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP, said, "AI is not only changing how work gets done, but also how people feel at work. Our data shows that frequent AI users report higher engagement and lower stress. But they also feel less productive. Employers that help workers transition to new ways of working with the technology can better foster a workplace where AI feels less like a disruption and more like a teammate.”

AI Adoption Varies Across Regions

AI usage varies widely across markets. India (41%), Nigeria (39%), and Vietnam (36%) lead globally in terms of daily AI usage.

In Australia, the report highlights several key trends shaping AI use at work across demographics and work types:

Workers are hesitant about AI, with only 13% feeling that AI will positively impact their job responsibilities in the coming year.
Knowledge workers feel the most certain about AI (22% believe AI will positively impact their job responsibilities), consistently higher than skilled task workers (9%) and repetitive task workers (6%).
Workers aged 27-39 are the most frequent AI users, with 28% of them using AI almost daily.
On average, men are using AI more frequently than women with 18% of men saying they use AI everyday compared to 13% of women.

Read the full report here.

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About “People at Work 2026” Report Series Methodology

People at Work 2026 features survey findings derived from ADP Research's annual Global Workforce Survey of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets to uncover global workforce sentiment, an examination of how people are navigating the complexities of a changing world. The report presents worker sentiment data sifted by geography, job type, and other dimensions, providing employers with a fine-tuned and granular view of the global workforce that can be used to better understand their workforce and drive growth through data-driven talent decisions.

The 2025 Global Workforce Survey collected responses between July 21 and August 4, 2025, from a random sample, stratified by age and gender, of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets, to provide regional and market comparisons of worker sentiment. Respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, on-site and remote work environments, work types, and skill sets. They represent a range of management and individual contributor roles, working for employers of all sizes.

To view the latest People at Work 2026, in addition to previous versions, visit: https://au.adp.com/resources/insights/people-at-work.aspx

About ADP Research

The mission of ADP Research is to make the future of work more productive through data-driven discovery. Companies, workers, and policymakers rely on our finely tuned data and unique perspective to make informed decisions that impact workplaces around the world. To subscribe to monthly email alerts or obtain additional information about ADP Research, including employment and pay data, methodology, and a calendar of release dates, please visit https://www.adpresearch.com.

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)

ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises — and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we're focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP's exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at ADP.com

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