Work experts reveal real barriers and breakthroughs in AI adoption
INDIANA, UNITED STATES — A recent panel hosted by Hubstaff revealed the real challenges and breakthroughs companies face with artificial intelligence (AI) at work.
The “AI Productivity Shift” event brought together experts to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and how organizations can move forward with AI in a more human-centric way.
Awareness, not access, is the main hurdle
Despite 85% of professionals claiming to use AI, data shows only 4% of their work time actually involves it. According to Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, behavioral scientist and hybrid work strategist, the real barrier isn’t access but awareness.
“So what I think is happening is that people don’t know how to use AI effectively. That’s what I’ve been seeing when I present to professionals about AI usage, and I tell them that you don’t use it like Google, that there are so many more effective ways of using it,” Tsipusky said.
He pointed out that most employees aren’t familiar with basic features like model switching or internal copilots. Governance concerns, particularly in regions like the European Union, are also slowing adoption.
Nadia Harris, Founder of Remote Work Advocate, added, “Everyone says they use AI, but few know how to create a real business case for it. There’s a lot of reluctance because of a lack of knowledge about compliance and data sharing.”
Phil Kirschner, workplace consultant and former McKinsey & WeWork executive, noted, “Many fear AI will take their jobs because of what they read in the press. Even when tools are available, people often lack the time or psychological safety to try something new.”
The panel agreed that companies need to invest in education, practical training, and clear AI usage policies tailored to specific roles.
Culture of fear and secrecy hampers progress
Leaders are creating confusion by simultaneously discouraging and demanding the use of AI. Workers frequently conceal their AI processes, apprehensive about the disclosure of automated tasks.
Kirschner explained, “Some people don’t want to share what they’re doing with AI… and that in itself is a hurdle we should overcome, isn’t it? Because this is just another tool to help us succeed. It’s not something we should be shy about or should be scared about sharing.”
The experts urged the creation of a culture where AI isn’t secret. Eryn Peters, Co-founder of The AI Maturity Index, suggested, “Foster a culture of curiosity. Celebrate experimentation. Make AI visible, not secret. One way to start? Run an ‘AI Week’ challenge internally where teams present how they’re using AI to improve workflows.”
Embedding AI for real results
Panelists shared success stories, from streamlining audits to compressing weeks of research into hours.
Harris shared, “I’ve consolidated data and built workflows using AI to automate processes. This has massively changed the way people work, letting them focus on creative or final decisions.”
“A small consultancy created agents that automated research and analysis, producing detailed reports. They’ve closed large clients they couldn’t have reached before,” Peters described.
“After training, claims staff built their own AI agents to automate claim denials. This saved a lot of time, and the best solutions were shared across the team,” Tsipursky emphasized.
The consensus: don’t start with flashy tools—start by fixing broken workflows.
Redefining productivity and the human element
AI is changing the definition of productivity. Harris said, “Productivity isn’t subjective and needs to be measured properly. We must distinguish between visible work and real efficiency, especially in knowledge work.”
“Efficiency and effectiveness are often confused. AI can help people focus more by automating routine tasks and freeing up time,” Kirschner added.
Tsipursky noted, “AI increases total workload handled, so those who can’t keep up may struggle. Generative AI enables people to do more with less, and companies that use it well will gain market share.”
The panel encouraged leaders to shift metrics from hours worked to impact delivered, with 77% reporting time savings and 70% saying AI helps them focus.
Ultimately, the panel agreed: AI’s true power depends on the people behind it. The transformation may be technological, but it starts with us.
