Artificial intelligence (AI) is supposed to bring efficiency and innovation, but a new study reveals that it’s also causing major tensions in the workplace.
According to research from enterprise AI startup Writer, nearly half of executives believe AI is “tearing their company apart.”
A Growing Divide Between Executives and Employees
AI adoption isn’t a smooth journey for many businesses. While executives push for AI-driven transformation, employees are far less convinced.
A survey conducted in December 2024 among 800 C-suite executives and 800 employees highlights this disconnect:
- 73% of executives feel their AI approach is well-controlled and strategic, compared to 47% of employees.
- 75% of executives believe AI adoption has been successful, while only 45% of employees agree.
- 89% of executives say their company has an AI strategy, but just 57% of employees believe one exists.
- 64% of executives think their organization has a high level of AI literacy, yet only 33% of employees share that view.
These stark differences suggest that leaders may be overestimating their AI implementation while employees struggle with its actual execution.
AI Adoption Perception Gap (Executives vs. Employees)
| AI Adoption Aspect | Executives (%) | Employees (%) |
|---|---|---|
| AI strategy exists | 89% | 57% |
| AI adoption is successful | 75% | 45% |
| AI approach is well-controlled and strategic | 73% | 47% |
| High level of AI literacy | 64% | 33% |
While employees may be resistant, executives aren’t entirely satisfied either. The study found that 94% of C-suite leaders are unhappy with their current AI solutions.
- 72% of executives say their company has faced significant challenges in AI adoption.
- 71% report that AI applications are being developed in isolated “silos” rather than integrated into the business.
- A surprising 59% of executives are actively looking for jobs at companies that are more innovative with AI.
Employees Feel Left Behind
For employees, the AI rollout has been anything but smooth. Many workers feel disconnected from their companies’ AI strategies and worry about the future of their jobs.
- 53% of employees admitted in a 2024 LinkedIn study that they hide their AI use for fear of being seen as replaceable.
- 41% of Millennial and Gen Z employees even admitted to sabotaging AI initiatives by refusing to use the tools provided.
- Half of employees say AI-generated information is often inaccurate, confusing, or biased.
These concerns highlight a growing fear that AI will reshape jobs faster than workers can adapt. According to a 2024 IBM study, 64% of leaders acknowledge that AI will disrupt jobs before employees are ready.
Employees Are Paying for AI Out Of Pocket
Even among employees who see AI’s potential, many are dissatisfied with their company’s AI tools. 35% of employees are paying out of their own pockets for generative AI tools that they feel work better than those provided by their employer.
Writer’s CEO, May Habib, argues that poor AI tools are one of the biggest barriers to adoption. “We’re all sick of the chatbots,” she says. Instead of chatbots, she advocates for pre-built AI agents that can handle complex business processes.
How Companies Can Bridge the AI Gap?
For AI adoption to succeed, companies need to address employees’ concerns head-on. Habib suggests that leaders must show employees how AI can help grow the business without replacing them.
To ease tensions, companies should:
- Improve AI literacy across all levels of the organization.
- Develop AI tools that genuinely enhance workflows rather than complicate them.
- Communicate openly about AI’s role and reassure employees about job security.
AI is here to stay, but whether it unites or divides companies depends on how well leaders and employees can align their expectations.
For more insights on AI in the workplace, check out IBM’s AI impact study and LinkedIn’s workforce AI report.
Bottom Line: Executives see AI as essential for staying competitive, but employees remain skeptical. With the right approach, businesses can turn AI adoption from a point of friction into a force for innovation and growth.
