Slack research reveals 5 AI personas reshaping future of work
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Slack’s Workforce Lab has identified five distinct AI personas shaping the future of work.
Conducted between August 6 and August 14, 2024, the research was based on interviews and a survey of 5,000 full-time desk workers in the United States, Australia, India, Singapore, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It provides crucial insights for employers navigating the integration of AI in the workplace.
“The AI-powered future of work isn’t just about enterprises, it’s also about employees — and it’s redefining everything from careers to workplace culture,” said Christina Janzer, SVP of Research and Analytics at Slack, a Salesforce company.
“But to realize the promise of AI, companies need to make AI work for workers and bring everyone onboard The AI Team.”
The five AI personas
- The Maximalist (30%): These enthusiasts use AI multiple times a week to enhance their work and actively promote its benefits. Sixty-five percent of Maximalists openly discuss their AI use and encourage others to follow suit. Their primary motivation is to produce higher-quality work, with nearly half reporting that their companies actively encourage AI use.
- The Underground (20%): While using AI frequently, this group is hesitant to share their usage with colleagues. Fifty-five percent of Underground users employ AI at least a couple of times a week, but 74% don’t actively share or encourage its use. Interestingly, 43% report that their companies don’t encourage AI use at work.
- The Rebel (19%): Skeptical of AI hype, Rebels avoid using AI and consider its use by coworkers unfair. Sixty-six percent never use AI at work, and 58% view it as a threat to society. Thirty-nine percent believe it’s unfair for coworkers to use AI for task completion.
- The Superfan (16%): Despite their excitement about AI advancements, Superfans haven’t fully integrated it into their work routines. Seventy-two percent use AI less than once a month, but 76% admire colleagues who creatively apply AI to their work.
- The Observer (16%): This group has yet to incorporate AI into their work, watching its development with caution and interest. Sixty-six percent feel indifferent about AI in the workplace, while one-third express interest in developing AI skills.
📣 📰 This just in: New research from our Workforce Lab has uncovered 5 distinct personas that make up the #AI-driven workplace.
Take our quiz to find out where you fit on the #AITeam! 👇 https://t.co/43VDqx6YZw pic.twitter.com/6uPBlxtHim
— Slack (@SlackHQ) September 4, 2024
Implication for employers and AI adoption
This research comes at a critical time, as leader urgency to implement AI has grown sevenfold since the beginning of the year. However, more than two-thirds of workers have yet to use AI at work, risking missed opportunities for both companies and employees.
“As leaders, it’s important that we tailor our approach and help set every employee up for success in the AI-powered workplace. These personas create a powerful roadmap for leaders to understand where their employees are in their AI journey and help them unlock AI’s benefits,” continued Janzer.
Lori Castillo Martinez, EVP of Talent Growth & Development at Salesforce, adds:
“Workers across industries must learn how to work with AI or risk getting left behind. At Salesforce, we’re helping our employees identify skill gaps that may prevent them from growing their careers, and bridge those gaps to take full advantage of the AI future.”
As AI continues to reshape the workplace, understanding these personas will be crucial for employers to successfully integrate AI and unlock its full potential across their workforce.
