A groundbreaking study by Kore.ai, a pioneer in responsible AI applications, has unveiled a potential future where a three-day working week becomes a reality for UK employees.
The research indicates that a significant portion of the workforce, approximately 25 percent, spends an average of 16 hours per week on manual, computer-based tasks that could be easily automated, compromising both productivity and employee wellbeing.
The Employee Experience Benchmark Report 2023 surveyed 1,000 UK workers, revealing that if these employees could save just 20 percent of their time by automating mundane administrative tasks, the implications would be transformative:
- Four-Day Work Week: 47%
- Improved Work/Life Balance: 34%
- Increased Training/Learning Opportunities: 26%
- More Creative or Strategic Work: 24%
- Proper Lunch Breaks: 20%
The study indicates that labour-intensive ‘microtasks’ are holding back workers from achieving a more balanced and fulfilling professional life. Advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI (GenAI) models could be the key to supporting employees, allowing them to focus on more strategic or creative work and have more time for relaxation. Remarkably, 22 percent of surveyed UK workers expressed a desire for their own personal AI digital assistant at work to enable such transformations.
What role is AI playing here?
Serkan Imbrahim, VP of Europe at Kore.ai, emphasises the potential for a three-day work week facilitated by artificial intelligence. He notes, “Advanced LLMs and GenAI can provide quick, reliable, and contextual answers to enable employees to get tasks done quickly, efficiently, and accurately to enhance their productivity and wellbeing.”
The study aligns with a broader trend identified by McKinsey Global Institute, projecting that by 2030, generative AI combined with AI-powered tools could automate up to 30 percent of the hours worked today. Kore.ai envisions a workplace where every employee has an AI-powered personal assistant, seamlessly integrating chat, digital, and voice interfaces, capable of processing information, knowledge, and taking action on their behalf proactively.
Serkan Imbrahim concludes, “As global businesses prepare to compete in an increasingly unstable economy, more investment into AI automation needs to be made. The scope to upskill staff and use the extra time to generate new ideas and opportunities for their employer is also an exciting prospect.” According to Imbrahim, businesses that leverage AI technologies have seen an average 30 percent productivity gain and higher satisfaction, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in the workplace
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
