Employees report increased positivity towards AI in the workplace

A new report by Avanade, a Microsoft solutions provider, has shed light on the workplace impact of Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 (Copilot for M365).

The comprehensive study involved 700 employees and explored the effect of the generative AI tool on various human metrics including communication, creativity, trust, work satisfaction, belongingness, and organisational citizenship behaviour.

One of the pivotal findings was that employees felt increasingly positive about AI in the workplace despite initial apprehensions. Communication practices saw notable improvement, with 45% of employees feeling less cautious about their communication as they became more familiar with the tool. Approval ratings for Copilot for M365 slightly decreased from 73% to 70% year-on-year, which indicates alignment of employee expectations with a better understanding of the tool's capabilities.

In terms of creativity and innovation, the overall score increased by 2% to 82% since last year. Employees showed an increased approval for new ways of working (rising from 80% to 89%), although there was a slight decline in preference for tasks requiring original thinking. Structured creativity, idea sharing, and problem-solving saw significant improvements with the help of Copilot for M365, but spontaneous and original thinking did not witness similar enhancement.

Trust in the AI tool also stood out as a key area of interest. Almost nine in ten (88%) employees believed that Copilot for M365 aligned with corporate values, while over half (65%) felt it matched their personal values. Satisfaction with the tool's assistance reached 75%. However, there were concerns around transparency and accountability, with ratings of 78% and 65%, respectively. This highlights the importance of understanding the tool's decision-making process and the need for robust governance structures.

Veit Siegenheim, Global Future of Work Lead at Avanade, noted, "The evidence shows that the vast majority of employees see the value of Copilot for M365 for communication purposes, despite initial caution. It can also support the articulation and execution of new ideas and free up time for more strategic thinking through the automation of administrative tasks. However, this may also curb spontaneous, original thinking, and while employees acknowledged the respectfulness and fairness of the system's suggestions, they have concerns around its oversight and accountability long-term."

On work satisfaction, 85% of employees reported a sense of accomplishment following the introduction of Copilot for M365, with 80% remaining engaged with their tasks, indicating successful integration of Copilot into daily routines without diminishing the stimulating aspects of work.

Regarding belongingness, 85% of respondents indicated that the sense of camaraderie and support from team members remained steady. However, the overall belongingness and team collaboration score saw a slight decline by 2%, pointing to areas for potential improvement.

Technological adaptability within the organisation increased to 86%, suggesting that Copilot for M365 facilitated the development of technical skills and adaptation to new tools. Altruism and courtesy scores remained stable at 88%, showing that the AI tool did not adversely affect the collaborative spirit of the organisation.

In the realm of AI readiness, almost all (92%) IT executives agreed on the necessity for their organisations to shift to an AI-first operating model within the next 12 months to stay competitive. Despite this, only 48% have fully implemented specific policies for responsible AI, underscoring a gap between ambition and preparedness. Companies are urged to invest in upskilling their workforce and establishing ethical frameworks to capitalise on the benefits of AI technology.

Commenting on the broader implications, Siegenheim concluded, "Tools like Copilot for M365 are ushering through an era of transformational change in the workplace. This study demonstrates that finding the balance between augmenting work life without compromising the quality of employee engagement and support networks is crucial for a workplace culture in which generative AI supports the pursuit of professional growth and satisfaction."