Commentary: AI Saves Work Hours
Managing the Human Side of AI
The main barrier wasn’t fear of AI—it was uncertainty about whether employees were permitted to use it.
Steven
Gates AI
Google’s pilot program shows that AI can save employees significant time when used for routine tasks. The initiative, called AI Works, suggested that workers could reclaim more than 120 hours a year by automating administrative work. The program was not only about the tools themselves but also about how people adjusted to using them in real settings.
One of the clearest lessons was that adoption did not require complex training or heavy investment. Simply authorizing employees to use AI and giving them a short introduction led to major changes. Many workers, especially older women who had little or no prior experience with generative AI, began using it regularly once those barriers were removed.
The numbers underline the shift. Weekly use among this group rose from 17 percent to 56 percent, and daily use grew from 9 percent to 29 percent in just three months. These jumps suggest that access and encouragement can unlock far more value than technical sophistication alone.
The program also challenges the idea that reluctance toward AI comes from fear of the technology itself. Instead, much of it stems from uncertainty about whether use is allowed or appropriate. By setting clear expectations and offering minimal guidance, organizations can turn hesitation into confidence and routine use.
Even so, Google’s findings point to the need for careful management. Productivity gains will matter less if workers feel excluded or unclear about their roles. Success depends on fairness, support, and clear communication so that AI strengthens workplace culture rather than undermines it.
Credit:
Workers could save 122 hours a year by using AI in admin tasks, Google finds
By Reuters
Reference Link:
https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/workers-could-save-122-hours-year-by-adopting-ai-admin-tasks-says-google-2025-04-24