A two-year poll indicates that workplace use of artificial intelligence in the United States has so far been concentrated among higher-level and better-paid workers. The study was conducted by Jobs for the Future, The Families & Workers Fund, and Gallup.
Key figures from the survey:
- 28% of US employees report using AI at least weekly for work.
- 54% say they have not used AI on the job.
Who is using AI the most?
Use of AI on the job is substantially more common among employees with a college degree and among those in managerial roles. In other words, adoption and benefits are unevenly distributed, favoring higher-status positions and higher educational attainment.
What benefits do users report?
The most commonly reported benefit is increased speed: 63% of AI users said the technology helps them complete work tasks faster. The effect is especially pronounced among the highest-paid workers: among people earning $10,000 or more per month, seven in ten reported that AI accelerates their work.
Fewer lower-earning Americans reported the same acceleration, suggesting that the productivity gains associated with AI are correlated with income level and job seniority.
Why this matters
These findings imply that the spread of AI across the labor market is not producing uniform gains. If productivity and time-saving benefits accrue mainly to managerial and well-paid employees, existing workplace and income disparities could widen. The survey highlights the potential need for workplace policies, training, and broader access initiatives to ensure that AI's benefits reach a wider range of workers.
(The survey was reported by Morgan Chalfant.)
