In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the workplace, a new global study commissioned by Workday and conducted by Hanover Research offers a refreshingly optimistic perspective: AI isn’t here to replace us—it’s here to elevate us.
Based on insights from 2,500 full-time workers across 22 countries, the report explores how AI is reshaping work by enhancing human creativity, leadership, learning, trust, and collaboration.
The Human-Centered Promise of AI
The study reveals that 83% of respondents believe AI will enhance human creativity and lead to new forms of economic value. Rather than automating people out of relevance, AI is seen as a tool that frees individuals from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-order skills like ethical decision-making, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking.
Five Principles for Thriving with AI
The report is anchored in five core principles that define how organizations can thrive in an AI-enabled future:
1. Creativity, Elevated
AI acts as a creative assistant, helping individuals generate ideas and solutions faster and more effectively. It enables people to bring imagination to their roles—whether in administrative workflows or product innovation.
2. Leadership, Elevated
AI supports empathetic leadership by providing real-time insights into team dynamics and freeing up time for human connection. It helps leaders make more objective decisions and focus on what matters most—their people.
3. Learning, Elevated
AI enhances learning by identifying skill gaps, personalizing development, and democratizing access to knowledge. It empowers organizations to build agile, future-ready teams.
4. Trust, Elevated
Transparency and responsible AI practices are essential. A striking 90% of respondents agree that AI can increase organizational accountability, but trust must be built collaboratively across sectors.
5. Collaboration, Elevated
AI breaks down data silos and enables seamless collaboration across departments and between humans and machines. It fosters a new kind of teamwork where AI augments human potential.
Key Findings at a Glance
- 93% of AI users say it allows them to focus on strategic tasks.
- Top irreplaceable skills: ethical decision-making, empathy, relationship-building, and conflict resolution.
- Biggest challenges to AI adoption: uncertainty about ROI, data privacy, and integration complexity.
- Most impactful missing skills: cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and strategic planning.
A Call to Action
The report concludes with a clear message: the AI revolution is not just technological—it’s deeply human. Organizations must:
- Embrace human-centric leadership.
- Foster collaboration between people and AI.
- Invest in upskilling and reskilling.
- Promote transparency and accountability.
AI is not the new face of work—it’s the force that allows our human talent to shine brighter.