Here’s a startling fact: while daily users of Generative AI (GenAI) are reaping significant rewards in pay, job security, and productivity, a staggering one-third of the global workforce feels overwhelmed on a weekly basis. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite these clear benefits, only 14% of workers are using GenAI daily, and even fewer (6%) are leveraging agentic AI regularly. This raises a critical question: are organizations doing enough to bridge the skill gap and make AI accessible to all employees?
According to PwC’s 2025 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, which polled nearly 50,000 workers across 48 economies and 28 sectors, daily GenAI users are far more likely to report tangible benefits compared to infrequent users. For instance, 92% of daily users saw improvements in productivity, versus just 58% of infrequent users. Similarly, 58% of daily users experienced enhanced job security, compared to 36% of those who rarely use the technology. And when it comes to salary increases, 52% of daily users benefited, while only 32% of infrequent users did. And this is the part most people miss—daily users are also 25% more optimistic about the future of their roles compared to non-users.
However, the survey highlights a troubling divide. Only 51% of non-managers feel they have the necessary resources for learning and development, compared to 72% of senior executives. This upskilling gap isn’t just about access to tools—it’s about opportunity. Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader at PwC, emphasizes, ‘Employees using AI every day are reaping the rewards, but to scale these benefits, businesses must redesign work and redefine the human-machine partnership.’ Without this, GenAI risks becoming a missed opportunity for growth and inclusion.
Financial strain is another pressing issue, with 55% of the global workforce struggling financially—up from 52% in 2024. Among Gen Z workers, 42% feel overwhelmed at least once a week, compared to 35% overall. Meanwhile, fewer than half (43%) received a pay rise in the past year, and only 17% were promoted. Here’s a thought-provoking question: In an era where AI is transforming work, are organizations prioritizing the right investments to support their employees’ financial and emotional well-being?
Nicki Wakefield, Global Clients & Industries Leader at PwC, notes, ‘GenAI is already delivering significant boosts to productivity, job security, and pay for daily users, but only 14% are using it regularly. This isn’t just a technology story—it’s a people story.’ Alignment with leadership goals, for instance, increases worker motivation by 78%. Yet, only 64% of employees feel they understand their organization’s goals, with even lower percentages among non-managers and Gen Z.
A controversial interpretation: Could it be that organizations are focusing too much on implementing AI and not enough on fostering a culture of clarity, trust, and support? After all, workers thrive when they understand the plan and feel empowered to grow. As financial strain and overwhelm rise, leaders must act decisively—redesigning work, providing simple AI use cases, and building strong guardrails to turn AI from hype into real help.
So, what do you think? Are organizations doing enough to make GenAI accessible and beneficial for all employees, or is the current approach widening the gap? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
