Workers are increasingly relying on AI, with a recent study indicating that they trust AI to handle approximately 43 percent of their work tasks. This reflects a notable shift towards delegating responsibilities to AI. Interestingly, leaders display even more confidence in AI, trusting it with 51 percent of their work tasks compared to 40 percent among rank-and-file employees.
Looking forward, 77 percent of global workers anticipate that they will eventually trust AI to operate autonomously. Currently, only 10 percent of workers have this level of trust, but within the next three years, 26 percent believe they will trust AI to function independently. In three or more years, this trust is expected to increase to 41 percent.
While the preference for AI-human collaboration remains strong, there is growing trust in AI to handle certain tasks independently. Presently, 54 percent of global workers prefer a collaborative approach for most tasks. However, some workers are already comfortable with AI taking on specific responsibilities alone. For instance, 15 percent trust AI to write code, 13 percent to uncover data insights, and 12 percent each to develop communications and act as personal assistants autonomously.
Nevertheless, there are tasks where human involvement is considered crucial. A significant number of workers trust only humans to ensure inclusivity (47 percent), onboard and train employees (46 percent), and maintain data security (40 percent).
Building trust in AI requires greater human participation. Sixty-three percent of workers believe that increased human involvement would enhance their trust in AI. A significant obstacle is the lack of understanding, as 54 percent of workers admit they do not fully comprehend how AI is implemented or governed in their workplaces.
Those who are knowledgeable about AI implementation are significantly more likely to trust AI to operate autonomously within the next two years compared to those who lack this knowledge. This underscores the importance of understanding AI in fostering trust and acceptance of its capabilities.
There is a notable gender disparity in AI knowledge, with males being 94 percent more likely than females to understand how AI is implemented and governed at work. This highlights a significant area for improvement in ensuring equitable access to AI education and training.
Furthermore, a majority of workers (62 percent) believe that more opportunities for skill-building and training would enhance trust in AI. This suggests a strong desire among employees to deepen their understanding and proficiency in AI technologies.
Linda Saunders, Salesforce Director of Solutions Engineering Africa, emphasized the optimism for an AI-driven future, emphasizing the crucial role of human engagement in building trust and promoting widespread adoption of AI. According to Saunders, empowering humans to lead AI systems is essential for leveraging AI’s full potential.
The study, conducted by Salesforce in collaboration with YouGov from March 20 to April 3, 2024, involved nearly 6,000 full-time knowledge workers from various industries across nine countries. These countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, France, Germany, India, Singapore, and Switzerland, providing a comprehensive view of global perspectives on AI adoption and trust.
