A significant productivity boom is being unlocked by artificial intelligence, though its full potential is hampered by a widespread training deficit. New research from the London School of Economics' Inclusion Initiative (TII), in collaboration with global consulting firm Protiviti, reveals that employees using AI are saving the equivalent of a full working day - 7.5 hours - every week. This translates to approximately $18,000 in productivity gains per employee annually, yet 68% of workers have received no AI training in the past year.
Quick Intel
AI-using employees save an average of 7.5 hours per week, a full workday.
This productivity gain is worth approximately $18,000 per employee per year.
68% of employees have received no AI training in the last 12 months.
Training, not age, is the key factor: 93% of trained employees use AI vs. 57% untrained.
Trained employees save 11 hours weekly, double the 5 hours saved by the untrained.
Generationally diverse AI teams report higher productivity (77% vs 66%).
Training, Not Generation, Drives AI Success
Contrary to the assumption that AI adoption is a young person's game, the research clearly identifies training as the decisive differentiator. The data shows that 93% of employees who receive AI training use it in their roles, compared to just 57% of those without training. Furthermore, trained employees are twice as productive, saving 11 hours per week compared to only 5 hours for their untrained colleagues. The report concludes that a trained Gen X employee achieves greater productivity benefits than an untrained Gen Z employee.
The Power of Inclusive and Diverse AI Teams
The study, titled "Bridging the Generational AI Gap," also highlights the superior performance of generationally diverse teams. When it comes to delivering AI initiatives, 77% of employees in multigenerational teams reported that their team was productive, compared to only 66% in teams with low generational diversity. This suggests that blending the experience of older generations with the adaptability of younger ones creates a more effective environment for AI implementation.
A Clear Call to Action for Business Leaders
The findings present a clear imperative for organizations. The substantial return on investment from AI is directly tied to strategic, inclusive training and team composition. "For business leaders, the priority is clear: closing the AI training gap is one of the fastest ways to unlock measurable returns," said Dr. Grace Lordan, Founding Director of TII at LSE, who led the research. Fran Maxwell, Global Leader of People & Change at Protiviti, added, "The organisations that will benefit the most are those that embed AI into everyday workflows, redesign roles to focus on higher-value work, and give employees the confidence to experiment."
The research underscores that the AI productivity dividend is not automatic. It must be actively cultivated through dedicated training programs that include all generations and through the intentional creation of diverse project teams. Companies that proactively bridge this skills gap will not only realize immediate efficiency gains but will also build a significant competitive advantage for the future.
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