Employees Who Use AI Have Higher Salaries and Job Security

According to PwC’s global survey on employee expectations and fears for 2025, published today, employees who used generative artificial intelligence daily over the past year report benefits such as increased productivity, more stable employment, and higher earnings.

Nearly 50,000 employees from 48 major economies and 28 different sectors participated in the survey, which shows that daily users of generative artificial intelligence, compared to those who use it rarely, have significantly more often achieved concrete benefits in terms of productivity (92 vs. 58 percent), job stability (58 vs. 36 percent), and income levels (52 vs. 32 percent).

Additionally, they are more inclined to have a positive attitude towards the impact of artificial intelligence on all surveyed criteria.

Companies Need to Do More

However, the survey results indicate that organizations can do more to facilitate skill development and professional advancement for employees in a challenging economic environment. Only 51 percent of employees not in managerial positions believe they have access to the necessary resources for learning and development, while 66 percent of managers and 72 percent of senior executives claim the same.

Pete Brown, global leader of workforce-related services at PwC, emphasized that while AI brings benefits to employees, companies must improve their ways of working for broader application of these advantages.

– If this moment is seized well, generative artificial intelligence can become a powerful driver of growth and inclusivity or just another missed opportunity – added Brown.

The application rate is still low, and access to resources for skill development is not equal for all, noted Slaven Kartelo, partner in the Audit and Accounting Advisory Services Department responsible for AI-related services.

– We see the need for organizations to view AI as much more than just a tool. It is an opportunity to drive growth, enhance inclusivity, and build trust. Organizations must rethink their working methods, communicate clearly, support their teams, and invest in skill development at all levels. In a year filled with challenges but also opportunities, leaders must create an environment where employees understand the direction of the organization, feel aligned with leadership goals, and have the resources needed for professional development. In this way, AI can truly become a driver of sustainable growth and competitive advantage – stated Kartelo.

Those Not in Managerial Positions Are Lagging

The survey results show that daily users of generative artificial intelligence are significantly more optimistic about the future of their jobs in the next 12 months (69 percent) compared to those who use it rarely (51 percent) and those who do not use it at all (44 percent).

Despite 54 percent of employees claiming they used artificial intelligence in their work over the past year, the frequency of application remains low. Only 14 percent of respondents use artificial intelligence daily, which represents only a slight increase from 12 percent in 2024. An even smaller proportion of respondents (6 percent) report using agent-based artificial intelligence daily.

A significant difference in the availability of resources for professional development: employees not in managerial positions lag behind senior executives when it comes to opportunities for growth and professional development. Although organizations are increasingly investing in professional training to adapt to new technologies, the research confirms that these employer efforts are often uneven.

Trends also indicate that those who already use artificial intelligence will further increase their advantage over the rest of the workforce.

Employee Support

Although 70 percent of respondents express job satisfaction at least once a week, there are clear indicators of stress. Only 53 percent of the global workforce feels strong optimism about the future of their jobs, with employees not in managerial positions at 43 percent significantly lagging behind senior executives, among whom that figure is 72 percent.

Trust in senior management is not uniform – only 64 percent of respondents state that they understand their organization’s goals. These percentages are even lower among employees not in managerial positions and among Generation Z members.

Financial difficulties affect 55 percent of the global workforce, representing an increase from 52 percent recorded in 2024. Just over a third of employees feel overwhelmed at least once a week, and this figure rises to 42 percent among Generation Z members. Less than half received a raise in the past year, while less than one-fifth of employees achieved a promotion. Due to increasingly unfavorable economic trends, fewer employees intend to request raises (a drop from 43 percent to 37 percent) and promotions (a drop from 35 percent to 32 percent).

However, companies that actively support their employees have the opportunity to achieve visible benefits.

– Employees thrive when they understand the direction the organization is heading – when they feel aligned with leadership goals, their motivation increases by as much as 78 percent. In a year of increasingly pronounced financial challenges and employee overload, leaders must adapt their ways of working, be clear, and instill trust through concrete examples of application, robust protective mechanisms, and the development of skills, trust, and support that make artificial intelligence a practical tool rather than just an abstract concept – concluded Nicki Wakefield, global leader of client and industry activities at PwC.