Employees Use AI – Even Without Formal Introduction by Their Employers
ResearchZEW Study on Behalf of the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Investigates Digitalisation in the World of Work
In Germany, more than half of employees are already using artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace – yet most AI applications are not introduced by employers but are used informally. This shows, on the one hand, that employees perceive AI as a form of support and, on the other hand, that firms are lagging behind with AI adoption and do not meet workers’ expectations regarding both the actual and the desired use of this technology. This is the conclusion of the report on the “Digital Transformation and the Changing World of Work (DiWaBe 2.0)” survey. The report was compiled by ZEW Mannheim, among others, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS).
“The majority of employees would like to use AI and already do so, even though it has not been introduced by their employers. Above all, the release of generative AI such as ChatGPT plays a major role in spreading AI technologies at the workplace,” explains Oliver Schlenker, researcher in ZEW’s Research Unit “Labour Markets and Social Insurance” and co-author of the study.
AI use unevenly distributed
More than 60 per cent of all employees in Germany use AI at the workplace, although to a varying degree depending on education, occupation, age, and gender. “Typical AI users tend to be younger, male, significantly better qualified and more likely to work in the private sector, in IT or in science-related occupations”, Schlenker summarises. “For example, only just under one third of employees with no formal educational qualifications use AI, whereas this share is almost 80 per cent among employees with a university degree or advanced vocational qualifications, such as a master craftsperson or technical specialist.”
More complex job requirements and more autonomy
Dr. Eduard Brüll, also a co-author from the same research unit at ZEW, adds: “Even after taking demographic and occupational characteristics into account, there are large differences in AI use. For example, workers who are intensifying their AI usage report more complex job requirements and higher deadline and performance pressure compared to those who do not use it. They also more often feel unable to cope with the amount of information. At the same time, they mention greater job autonomy – for instance, more freedom in the choice of their tasks – and equally frequently health problems and burnout symptoms."
About the study
The study presents the findings from the DiWaBe 2.0 survey, a representative cross-sectional survey conducted in 2024, covering approximately 9,800 employees subject to social insurance contributions in Germany. The study was compiled by researchers from ZEW Mannheim, the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).
The aim of the survey is to create a data basis to assess the impact of technological change – especially AI – on the workplace. It particularly examines the changes in work tasks and job requirements, working conditions and organisational structures, workers’ participation in further training, and employee health.
