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Workers who use generative AI daily are reporting significantly higher productivity, improved job security, and better pay compared to their peers, according to PwC's 2025 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey. The comprehensive study, which gathered responses from nearly 50,000 workers across 48 economies, reveals a clear performance and optimism gap between frequent and infrequent AI users, highlighting both the technology's potential and the challenges in achieving widespread adoption.
Quick Intel
Daily GenAI users are far more likely to report higher productivity (92% vs 58%), pay (52% vs 32%), and job security (58% vs 36%).
Only 14% of the global workforce uses generative AI daily, indicating significant room for growth.
A skills divide exists, with non-managers (51%) having less access to learning resources than senior executives (72%).
Daily AI users are more optimistic (69%) about their roles than non-users (44%).
55% of the global workforce is experiencing financial strain, up from 52% in 2024.
Worker motivation rises by 78% when they feel their goals are aligned with leadership.
The Tangible Benefits of Daily AI Adoption
The survey data underscores a stark contrast between daily and infrequent users of generative AI. An overwhelming 92% of daily users reported a positive impact on their productivity, compared to just 58% of infrequent users. This advantage extends to career and financial outcomes, with daily users being significantly more likely to have seen improvements in their job security (58% vs 36%) and salaries (52% vs 32%).
An Upskilling Divide and Stagnant Adoption
Despite the clear benefits, widespread daily adoption remains low. Only 14% of respondents use GenAI daily, a modest increase from 12% in 2024. This slow uptake is compounded by a pronounced upskilling divide. The survey found that employer upskilling efforts are uneven, with only 51% of non-managers feeling they have the necessary learning resources, compared to 66% of managers and 72% of senior executives. This gap risks leaving a large portion of the workforce behind.
Broader Workforce Challenges and the Leadership Imperative
The report also identifies broader pressures, including rising financial strain—now affecting 55% of workers—and a decline in the intention to seek raises or promotions. In this context, clarity from leadership becomes critical. Workers who feel aligned with their organization's goals are 78% more motivated than those who do not. As Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader at PwC, stated, "Employees using AI every day are reaping the rewards... But to scale these benefits, businesses must go beyond training. Work itself needs to be redesigned and the human–machine partnership redefined."
The PwC survey presents a clear call to action for business leaders. The potential of generative AI to drive growth and inclusion is evident, but it is not automatic. Success hinges on closing the skills gap, redesigning workflows to integrate AI, and fostering a culture of trust and clarity to unlock the motivation and potential of the entire workforce.
About PwC's 2025 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey
PwC surveyed 49,843 workers across 48 countries and regions and 28 sectors from 7 July through 18 August 2025. The figures in this report are weighted proportionally to each country's working population's gender and age distribution, so workers' views are broadly representative across all major regions.
About PwC
At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We're a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 364,000 people in 136 countries and 137 territories. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help clients build, accelerate, and sustain momentum.
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