One in five full-time workers say artificial intelligence has already taken over parts of their role, according to new survey data that points to real-time changes in how work is carried out inside organisations.
The figures, based on a poll of more than 2,000 adults, show that AI is not only being adopted widely but is actively altering tasks, often without formal employer oversight or strategy.
It raises concerns that organisations may be underestimating how quickly roles are evolving, particularly as employees increasingly turn to their own AI tools to complete work.
Automation outpacing new task creation
Data from research firm Epoch AI, carried out with pollster Ipsos, found that 20 percent of full-time workers reported that AI had replaced elements of their job.
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At the same time, 15 percent said they had taken on new types of work as a result of AI, indicating that while job redesign is taking place, automation is currently outpacing task creation.
Caroline Falkman Olsson, who led the research, told NBC News that the data confirmed that both trends are already visible in workplaces. “When we actually look at what people report for their AI usage, we do see augmentation and automation effects,” she said.
She added that more detailed insight is needed into how roles are changing in practice. “But we need to figure out how people’s actual workplaces and work tasks are changing.”
Employees driving adoption without employer control
A significant share of AI use is happening outside formal company systems, creating potential risks around governance and consistency.
The survey found that around half of employees using AI for work relied on personal subscriptions or free tools, rather than access provided by their employer. It suggests that adoption is being driven by individual employees rather than organisational strategy, with staff integrating AI into workflows without clear policies or oversight.
The research also found that access plays a key role in how AI is used. Employees with employer-funded tools were far more likely to use AI regularly for work, indicating that organisations that invest in approved systems may have greater control over how the technology is deployed.
Everyday tasks being reshaped, not replaced entirely
While the headline figure points to task replacement, most employees are still using AI in relatively limited ways.
The majority reported using AI for short, routine activities such as drafting content, summarising information or generating ideas, often completing just one or two tasks on their busiest day. Only a small proportion reported heavy use, suggesting that AI is currently embedded at a task level rather than transforming entire roles.
But even small changes at scale can have a significant impact on how work is structured, particularly as more employees incorporate AI into daily processes.
Employers face growing pressure to respond
The findings suggest a widening gap between employee behaviour and organisational readiness. With AI use already widespread, employers may need to act more quickly to establish clear frameworks around how tools are used, including data security, compliance and quality control.
There are also implications for workforce planning, as roles evolve and new skills are required alongside automated tasks.
External forecasts suggest the scale of change could accelerate. Analysts at Goldman Sachs estimate that AI could automate tasks equivalent to around a quarter of working hours, while also contributing to job displacement in some sectors.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
