While it might seem as though gen AI tools such as ChatGPT have been around forever, the reality is that the aforementioned platform only burst onto the scene two years ago. Fast-forward to now, and the vast majority of workers are using AI in some form in their everyday work. In fact, according to the most recent Slack Workforce Index, workplace adoption of AI tools accelerated by 24 percent between September 2023 and January 2024.

Of those who have incorporated AI into their daily work practices, 80 percent admit AI tools improve their productivity. Similarly, research conducted by GitHub found that developers who started using its AI Copilot tools could complete tasks 55 percent faster. The vast majority (96 percent) said they were faster and therefore could get through more work, 88 percent felt they were more productive, 59 percent found coding less frustrating, 87 percent found repetitive tasks less mentally taxing, and 74 percent had more time to focus on more rewarding tasks.

The flip side to this argument is that workers are under increasing pressure to complete their daily or weekly tasks on time and at an extremely high level; expectations have shifted around how much work needs to get done. Thanks to intense restructuring across the tech sector over the past two years--411,952 tech workers have lost their jobs since the beginning of 2023--entire departments have been wiped out in some cases.

"We all have tasks to complete that aren't part of our job description but are necessary to keep things running smoothly. It's the 'work of work,'" says Christina Janzer, the senior vice president of research and analytics at Slack and head of Slack's Workforce Lab. "But if the average desk worker is spending two full days each week on this 'work of work,' that's a problem -- and an opportunity. In this pivotal moment, implementing AI and automation tools that are trusted, intuitive and embedded in the flow of work is key to recalibrating energy at work toward the activities that will move the needle."

A recent Thomson Reuters report, Future of Professionals, found that knowledge workers will save as many as 12 hours per week by 2030 by using assistive AI tools. But how can you balance efficiency, output, and high-value work if your employer has their head buried in the sand, or worse yet, they've prohibited you from using some of the most common tools available?

After all, Verizon, Citigroup, and Deutsche Bank have all banned ChatGPT usage due to concerns about data privacy. Elon Musk has warned that he will forbid using Apple devices at his companies if ChatGPT is installed onto iPhones as standard. "Unsure of the extent to which AI will transform the workplace, some leaders are hesitant to shift their approach toward AI," says Aytekin Tank, CEO and founder of Jotform, an online form builder.

"You might remember when Snapchat first took social media by storm. Some businesses waited to see whether it was sticky enough. Ultimately, we discovered the answer was 'yes,' concerning a specific demographic. AI, however, isn't just a social media platform, and it's not just impacting a limited demographic. It's overhauling how work is done and requires more than just training sessions. It requires adopting a 'systems thinking' way of looking at your daily tasks. Within organizations, that kind of fundamental shift must come from the top-down."

If you feel the company you work for isn't progressive in its approach, it could be time to consider your options elsewhere. Before you--and they--get left behind. Looking for your next opportunity? Visit the Interesting Engineering Job Board today to browse thousands of roles.