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AI Agents Now Handle Half of Frontline Workers' Tasks, Report Finds
🇵🇱 Poland /Technology

AI Agents Now Handle Half of Frontline Workers' Tasks, Report Finds

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Three out of four frontline employees globally use AI tools daily or several times a week, a significant increase from last year, according to a BCG report.
  • AI adoption is highest in IT, marketing, and finance, but also supports 61% of operational and production staff, with over two-thirds reporting AI handles simpler tasks.
  • While over half of regular AI users spend more time correcting AI outputs, 42% save at least 8 hours weekly, and 61% predict autonomous AI agents will perform half their work within three years.

Generative AI is rapidly integrating into the global workforce, with three in four frontline employees now using AI tools daily or several times a week, a nearly 50% increase from the previous year. This surge is detailed in the latest "AI at Work" global study by consulting firm BCG, which surveyed over 11,700 frontline employees and managers.

Already three out of four frontline employees worldwide use AI, including AI agents, daily or several times a week. This is almost half more than last year.

— BCG ReportThe report highlights the rapid increase in AI tool adoption among frontline workers.

The IT, marketing, and finance sectors lead in AI adoption, with 88%, 85%, and 85% of employees, respectively, regularly using GenAI. Even operational and production departments see 61% adoption. More than two-thirds of these users report that AI has taken over simpler tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex responsibilities.

Over two-thirds of people regularly using AI admit that it has taken over simpler tasks, leaving them with more complex ones.

— BCG ReportThis indicates a shift in job responsibilities due to AI integration.

Despite the efficiency gains, over half of frequent GenAI users find they spend more time verifying and correcting AI-generated work. However, a significant 42% still report saving at least 8 hours per week thanks to AI assistance. Marketing employees are particularly benefiting, with 60% gaining an extra 8 hours weekly, followed by IT at 53%. Half of HR professionals also highlight AI's positive impact on their time.

42% say that AI support allows them to save at least 8 hours per week.

— BCG ReportThe report quantifies the time savings achieved by AI users.

Looking ahead, 61% of respondents anticipate that autonomous AI agents will handle at least half of their current workload within the next three years. This shift is already changing job roles, with nearly half of employees now focusing more on managing and directing AI than on performing tasks themselves. This evolution is reflected in the 72% of respondents who see a change in required skills, emphasizing the growing employer demand for AI-relevant competencies.

As much as 61% of respondents predict that in the next three years, autonomous AI agents will be able to perform at least half of their current work.

— BCG ReportThis forecast points to significant future automation in the workplace.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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