AI adoption is growing fast in the workplace—but that doesn’t mean everyone feels the same way about using it. Some people are excited. Others are nervous. And many are somewhere in between.

The Rise of AI in Everyday Work

A new study shows just how widespread AI has become in day‑to‑day roles. Four in five employees now use some kind of AI tool at work, and more than half rely on AI assistants regularly to save time and boost productivity.

But widespread use doesn’t always mean widespread confidence.

The Quiet Concerns Behind the Screens

Many employees worry they’ll appear lazy or untrustworthy if they lean too much on AI. Others feel judged, second‑guessed, or even embarrassed using AI tools in front of colleagues.

It creates a strange contradiction: people trust AI to help them, but they don’t always trust how others will react when they use it.

AI Should Be a Partner, Not a Pressure Point

At its best, AI supports people. It’s a partner that helps us focus on the work that truly matters—strategy, creativity, insight, and problem‑solving.

But for that to happen, employees need confidence. And this is where many organisations are slipping behind.

A Confidence Gap That Holds Teams Back

Only one in three workers has received any formal AI training. Most are learning through trial and error, which naturally leads to uncertainty, mistakes, mistrust and can hamper AI Adoption.

Managers tend to feel more confident (around 70%), but this falls sharply among junior staff, where only about a third feel the same.

Building a Culture Where AI Use Is Encouraged

So, what’s the solution?

Like many workplace improvements, it starts with culture. Business leaders need to create an environment where experimenting with AI is encouraged, not judged.

Show your team that using AI isn’t “cheating”—it’s working smarter.

Make Learning Part of Everyday Work

Give people the opportunity to learn in ways that suit them, whether through:

• Formal training
• Internal workshops
• “Show and tell” sessions where staff share their AI wins
  
  

When people feel supported and trusted, confidence grows. And confident teams don’t just use AI—they thrive with it.

The Future Belongs to Confident Teams

AI confidence doesn’t happen overnight. But when you build a culture where people feel free to experiment, learn, and ask questions, the benefits become clear: better efficiency, more creativity, stronger problem‑solving, and a team ready for the future of work.