Employees Left Behind in Workplace AI Boom, New WalkMe Survey Finds
MWN-AI** Summary
A recent WalkMe survey illustrates the challenges employees face amid the ongoing AI revolution in the workplace. Despite a strong appetite among workers for AI solutions—80% believe these tools enhance productivity—many feel unsupported in their use. The survey reveals alarming trends, notably that 78% of workers utilize AI tools not sanctioned by their employers, leading to potential security and compliance concerns. Half of the respondents report inconsistent guidance on AI usage, contributing to a situation where employees often find it takes longer to navigate these tools than to complete tasks manually.
The findings suggest a pressing governance crisis, as organizations risk losing control over operations while failing to capitalize on AI's potential. WalkMe’s CEO, Dan Adika, emphasizes that without strategic support and clear guidelines for AI use, businesses are missing critical opportunities to empower their employees effectively.
Cultural issues also exacerbate the problem; nearly half of survey participants admit to feigning familiarity with AI to avoid judgment during discussions, while many hide their usage. This AI stigma, particularly acute among Gen Z workers, hinders knowledge sharing and effective collaboration.
Training gaps are another major hurdle, with only 7.5% of employees having received comprehensive AI training, and 23% reporting no training at all. Consequently, companies are losing substantial revenue—an average of $104 million in 2024—due to underutilized tools.
As organizations navigate this AI landscape, experts assert that developing AI-ready skills and fostering robust digital adoption strategies is crucial to mitigate losses and ensure that they are well-positioned for the future of work.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent WalkMe survey reveals a troubling gap in the integration of AI within the workplace, highlighting a critical juncture for organizations navigating the AI revolution. With 78% of employees utilizing shadow AI tools—those not officially sanctioned by their IT departments—the potential for security and compliance risks has soared. As businesses rush to capitalize on AI’s promise, they must prioritize structured training and governance to mitigate these risks and unlock the full value of AI investments.
The findings indicate a stark reality: while 80% of workers believe AI boosts productivity, nearly 60% find it often takes longer to navigate AI tools than to complete tasks manually. This phenomenon, termed the “productivity paradox,” underscores a glaring disconnect. Unless organizations implement comprehensive training programs, the deployment of AI could result in significant lost productivity and ROI, impacting the bottom line.
Investing in employee training on AI usage is no longer optional; it’s a strategic imperative. The statistic that only 7.5% of employees have received extensive AI training corroborates this need. Companies that embrace deliberate coaching around AI technologies will not only mitigate the risks associated with unmanaged tool usage but also empower their workforce, ultimately enhancing performance.
Furthermore, organizations can leverage this moment to cultivate a culture of transparency and support surrounding AI. The stigma attached to AI—where 45% of workers mask their lack of understanding—reveals a critical barrier to effective deployment. Organizations should foster ongoing dialogues about AI capabilities and encourage safe exploration of new tools.
In conclusion, as the AI landscape continues to evolve, businesses that invest in a structured digital adoption strategy and commit to building AI-ready skills within their workforce will position themselves for leadership in the future of work. Failure to address these challenges risks not only financial loss but also a competitive disadvantage in a rapidly advancing digital era.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The AI revolution is well underway in the workplace, but a new survey from WalkMe , an SAP company and pioneer of the Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) category, reveals that employees are being left to navigate it on their own. The company’s second annual “AI in the Workplace Survey” finds that while workers are eager, most lack the support needed to use AI responsibly and effectively, fueling risk, wasted productivity, and lost ROI.
Shadow AI is everywhere
AI tools are flooding the workplace — but often without IT’s approval. 78% of employees say they use AI tools not provided by their employer, while more than half (51%) report conflicting guidance on when and how to use AI. This unmanaged use may create significant security and compliance risks.
The productivity paradox
Employees overwhelmingly believe in AI’s potential, with 80% saying it improves productivity. Yet nearly 60% admit it often takes longer to figure out how to use AI than to complete the task manually. Without proper guidance, AI’s promise is stalling, which at scale may mean thousands of lost hours and millions in wasted investment.
"Beyond the productivity paradox, we’re facing a full-blown governance crisis,” said Dan Adika, CEO and Co-founder, WalkMe. “When nearly 80% of employees are using shadow AI tools, organizations are not just losing money – they’re losing control. Businesses are missing a massive opportunity to strategically empower their people and realize the full potential of AI.”
AI stigma at work
Cultural confusion is compounding the problem. Nearly half (45%) of workers admit they have pretended to know how to use it in a meeting or presentation to avoid scrutiny. And yet 49% admit they have claimed not to use AI to avoid judgment. This trend is even more pronounced among Gen Z: 55.5% of Gen Z employees say they’ve pretended to understand AI tools, and 62% have hidden their use altogether.
Training gap blocks ROI
The enablement gap is stark. The number of daily AI users increased by 16 points since last year’s survey , but only 7.5% of employees have received extensive AI training. An additional 23% report receiving no training at all. This is a costly problem: WalkMe’s own 2025 State of Digital Adoption Report found that companies lost an average of $104 million in 2024 due to underused tools and poor rollout.
“AI has become an essential enterprise skill. But without training and guardrails, shadow AI creates risk and undermines ROI,” said Gina Smith, PhD, Research Director, IT Skills for Digital Business, IDC. “The companies that build AI?ready skills and digital adoption strategies now can avoid such loss. They are the organizations who will lead the next era of work.”
Methodology
This report is based on a survey conducted by Propeller Insights on behalf of WalkMe between July 16 and 23, 2025. The survey polled 1,000 working U.S. adults who use AI in their jobs in some capacity. The sample was balanced to be nationally representative across age, gender, industry, company size, and seniority. The margin of error for the total sample is ±3 percentage points. The survey was designed to screen for employees who use AI at work, so the 100% adoption rate is by design and not a representation of the broader U.S. workforce.
About WalkMe:
WalkMe, an SAP company, pioneered the world’s leading Digital Adoption Platform, enabling organizations to navigate the change brought on by technology. Leveraging over a decade of experience, WalkMe’s platform integrates generative AI to deliver proactive, accessible, and actionable insights. Our context-aware solutions guide users through any workflow, identifying and resolving digital friction to ensure seamless execution of critical processes across all departments. Trusted by global leaders like IBM, Nestlé, ThermoFisher Scientific, and the U.S. Department of Defense, WalkMe empowers organizations to maximize software ROI and drive people-centric digital transformation. Visit www.walkme.com .
Media Contact:
Melanie Pasch
press@walkme.com
FAQ**
How does WalkMe Ltd. WKME plan to address the challenges posed by shadow AI tools that 78% of employees are currently using without IT's approval?
What specific training initiatives is WalkMe Ltd. WKME implementing to close the training gap, given that only 7.5% of employees report having received extensive AI training?
In light of the productivity paradox where 60% of employees find it takes longer to use AI, what strategies is WalkMe Ltd. WKME adopting to enhance the effective integration of AI in the workplace?
How is WalkMe Ltd. WKME addressing the cultural stigma around AI, particularly among Gen Z employees who feel pressured to conceal their usage or understanding of AI tools?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about WalkMe Ltd. (NASDAQ: WKME).
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