Execs admit AI makes them value human workers less

Executives across multiple countries are increasingly skeptical about the value of artificial intelligence (AI) investments, with many admitting that AI has diminished their appreciation for human workers. According to the third annual AI at Work Report by Globalization Partners, 16 percent of companies experienced a negative return on investment (ROI) from AI last year, while 73 percent of those with positive returns found them below expectations. The survey, which included 2,850 executives from the US, Germany, Singapore, Australia, and France, reveals growing doubts about AI’s financial benefits and reliability. Concerns about AI accuracy are widespread, with only 23 percent of respondents expressing full confidence in AI outputs. As a result, 69 percent of executives report spending more time monitoring AI systems, and 61 percent are wary of using AI for sensitive documents due to legal accuracy issues. Despite these challenges, executives acknowledge the ongoing need for human talent, citing shortages of employees with AI skills and data literacy as significant barriers to achieving AI goals. However, the report also highlights a troubling trend: 82 percent of executives admit that AI has lowered the value they place on human employees, and 88 percent worry that workers may be using AI performatively rather than contributing genuine business value. While moral concerns about AI’s impact on workers exist, only a small minority (12 percent) strongly support sacrificing employee privacy through AI monitoring to meet business objectives. This ambivalence underscores the tension between leveraging AI for competitive advantage and maintaining trust and respect for the workforce. The findings suggest that despite the hype surrounding AI, many organizations are struggling to integrate it effectively and ethically, leading to cautious approaches and potential cutbacks in AI spending if results do not improve. The report’s insights contrast with more pessimistic research from MIT, which found only 5 percent of organizations have successfully deployed AI projects at scale. As companies grapple with these challenges, the future of AI in the workplace remains uncertain, hinging on improved technology reliability, clearer ROI, and balanced human-AI collaboration.