Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace, offering unparalleled opportunities for productivity and efficiency. However, the transformative power of AI is only as impactful as its accessibility. As demand for AI skills skyrockets, significant gaps are emerging—across gender, generations, and for individuals with disabilities—highlighting inequities in access to AI tools and training.
Bridging these divides is more than a technological challenge; it is an imperative for building an inclusive workforce and addressing the pressing issue of talent scarcity. The potential of AI lies not just in its capabilities but in ensuring that its benefits are distributed equitably, empowering every individual to thrive in the workplace of the future.
Insights from our latest Randstad Workmonitor Pulse Survey on AI and Equity offer a compelling view into the evolving role of AI in the workplace. While excitement around AI's potential is undeniable, its adoption is accompanied by a mix of caution, hope, and a strong need for greater inclusivity.
AI in the workplace: enthusiasm, challenges, and opportunities
Despite AI's transformative potential, its adoption in the workplace reveals a mix of enthusiasm and hesitation. In India, where 69% of employees currently use AI in their roles—compared to just 42% globally—49% report relying on it daily. The excitement around AI is evident, with 76% of respondents expressing optimism about its potential. However, many feel their organizations could harness AI more effectively, with 70% believing their employers are underutilizing the technology.
Concerns persist as well—Over a third of employees worry about AI’s impact on their roles (37%), while others suspect restrictions, such as policies prohibiting the use of tools like ChatGPT (36%). Efforts to equip employees with AI skills are underway, with seven in ten organizations offering upskilling opportunities. Notably, women in India are slightly more likely than men to benefit from these initiatives (73% versus 67%), highlighting the importance of equitable access to AI training.
The potential of AI is transformative, and so is the enthusiasm surrounding it. Yet, the challenges and disparities it introduces call for a deliberate and unified effort by businesses to close the gaps in AI adoption and learning, ensuring equitable access for all.
Read how equity is one of the top drivers for talent in our REBR report.
the generational divide: confidence meets caution
AI’s growing presence in the workplace is shaping how generations perceive their roles and futures, with distinct differences in adoption and outlook. Millennials and Gen Z are at the forefront, but their motivations diverge. Millennials display greater confidence, with 83% seeing AI skills as essential for staying competitive, compared to 74% of Gen Z. This confidence translates into action, as Millennials actively leverage AI for career growth, from refining resumes to interview preparation.
Interestingly, older generations like Boomers, often seen as slower to adopt technology, are strong advocates for upskilling, with 85% agreeing on the importance of AI skills in the next five years. Boomers (81%) are also more optimistic about AI’s ability to make work easier compared to 72% of Gen Z in India, a trend that flips globally, where younger workers (63%) are more optimistic than their older counterparts (34%).
When it comes to access, Millennials lead again, with 70% (vs 45% globally) having been offered opportunities to use AI at work, compared to 54% of Boomers (vs 23% globally) . Training gaps persist too, as only 58% of Boomers have received AI training, compared to 73% of Millennials.
Despite these generational differences, one unifying theme stands out: workers of all ages are calling for equitable access to learning opportunities to navigate the AI-driven workplace of the future.
To discover the manifestation and impact of ageism, and learn how leveraging age diversity can drive positive change, read our report on Ageism.
AI’s role in bridging workplace equity — and its pitfalls
AI holds significant promise for enhancing workplace equity, with 75% of employees in India believing it can help reduce hiring bias and enable personalized development while compared to a 46% global average. However, this optimism is tempered by concerns about unintended consequences.
Our pulse survey findings reveal that Millennials, for instance, are most likely to report bias in AI tools like chatbots (51%), while Boomers remain largely unaffected (12%). Gen Z voices the strongest concern about AI widening inequities (38%), highlighting a generational split in how risks are perceived.
Despite these challenges, most employees emphasize that AI alone is not enough—68% agree it must be paired with human-led efforts like inclusive policies and fair hiring practices to be truly effective. This underscores the importance of integrating technology with empathy to create workplaces that are not only innovative but also inclusive.
AI at work: a tool for growth, not a replacement
Despite concerns about job displacement, AI is increasingly viewed as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. Employees are not only using AI to handle routine administrative tasks but also to solve complex problems, boost creativity, and improve decision-making.
For instance, our pulse survey reveals that 76% of employees in India utilize AI for problem-solving and non-administrative tasks, significantly higher than the global average of 43%. Additionally, 70% of Indian employees leverage AI for administrative tasks like scheduling, data analysis, and note-taking, compared to just 47% globally (to delve more into the global findings, read here). Among younger generations, Gen Z in India leads the way, with 82% using AI to craft job applications, such as resumes and cover letters, far surpassing the global rate of 57%.
The growing interest in AI spans generations, with many professionals eager to upskill both within and outside of their workplaces. This shift signals a key change: AI is no longer just for tech-savvy workers — it has become an essential tool for professionals across all industries.
the path forward: building an inclusive future with AI
To truly unlock the potential of AI in the workplace, organizations must take proactive steps to ensure equitable access and development opportunities for all employees.
- While AI can drive efficiencies and foster equity, it must not operate in isolation. AI cannot be the sole answer to systemic issues, but when combined with human-centric approaches —such as inclusive policies, fair hiring practices, and mentorship programs— it can play a vital role in creating a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- AI upskilling initiatives must be designed to meet the diverse needs of different generations and demographics. Tailoring learning opportunities to suit various levels of experience and expertise will bridge the generational divide and help ensure that no one is left behind.
- As businesses continue to integrate AI into their operations, clear and transparent policies around its use and limitations are essential.
By embracing AI as an enabler of growth rather than a replacement, companies can cultivate a workforce that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and innovation. This holistic approach will be key in overcoming talent shortages and ensuring that AI’s benefits are accessible to all employees, empowering them to succeed in the future of work.