How could AI help workers regain lost productivity?

American workers’ productivity peaks at 11 a.m. on Mondays, according to new research.

The survey of 2,000 knowledge workers revealed when respondents are most productive — and when they’re least productive, which was found to be Fridays at 12:06 p.m.

While most workers (56%) are “very productive” throughout the average workday, respondents admitted they have an average of 53 tasks per week that ruin their productive momentum.

This leads to over three and a half hours of “lost productivity” per week.

Commissioned by Grammarly (https://www.grammarly.com/ai) and conducted by Talker Research, the survey examined what tasks are impacting Americans’ productivity and how AI may be a solution for some.

Forty-four percent of workers surveyed said they “hate” the repetitive aspects of their job.

Younger respondents were more likely to agree — 57% of Gen Z workers dislike the mundane aspects, compared to 42% of Gen X.

Perhaps because of this, 62% of respondents said there are tasks they’d like to use AI for within their job.

When asked what they’d find beneficial with an AI tool, employees highlighted having a tool that’s easy to use (49%) and can help draft emails for them (35%), as well as something that’s easy to prompt (35%). They’d also like a tool that can help with their repetitive tasks, with about a third of respondents wanting to use AI to sort data in a spreadsheet (34%) or draft notes in a meeting (33%).

That’s in addition to a tool that can take on simple workflows autonomously (31%) and integrates well with existing tools workers use (31%).

“We’re seeing professionals turn to AI to automate repetitive tasks through intuitive, user-friendly tools that fit naturally into their existing workflows,” said Heather Breslow, Head of UX and Marketing Research at Grammarly. “By minimizing the tedious tasks that get in the way of true productivity, AI users have time to focus on more meaningful work that requires their judgment, creativity and care.”

Despite workers already using AI, less than half of respondents’ companies have a clear AI policy (38%). Still, 50% wish their workplace was more willing to embrace AI tools, with Gen Z the most likely to agree (67% vs. 59% of millennials and 45% of Gen X).

This is likely because respondents see AI as an opportunity for their career to grow (64%) rather than a threat (16%).

Results revealed 76% believe AI will be an essential part of corporate jobs in the future — and the future isn’t that far away.

These respondents said, on average, it would only be three and a half years before AI becomes essential to corporate roles.

“Workers are eager to leverage AI for professional growth, and they look to their workplaces for clear guidance on maximizing its potential,” said Breslow. “For organizations to stay competitive in a landscape where everyone is harnessing AI, they must actively invest in helping their people use it well by upskilling workers through learning and development programs. Companies can create a culture of AI super users by comprehensively training workers and integrating AI tools into workflows, equipping teams with the skills needed to succeed in an evolving landscape.”

WHAT WOULD RESPONDENTS FIND MOST BENEFICIAL IN AN AI TOOL?

• Easy to use — 49%
• Can draft an email for me — 35%
• Easy to prompt — 35%
• Can sort data in a spreadsheet — 34%
• Can draft notes in a meeting — 33%
• Can take on simple workflows autonomously for me — 31%
• Integrates well with the existing tools I use — 31%
• Can attend a meeting for me — 17%
• No prompting required — 10%