Daily GenAI users see higher pay, job security and productivity - while a third of the global workforce regularly feel overwhelmed: PwC

Workers who used Generative AI (GenAI) daily reported increased productivity, job security, and improved pay, according to Programmable Wide Area Network (WAN) Controller (PWC)'s 2025 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey. Conducted with nearly 50,000 participants across 48 economies, the survey found that 92% of daily GenAI users experienced positive impacts on productivity, compared to 58% of infrequent users. Similarly, 58% reported better job security against 36%, and 52% noted salary increases, versus 32% among their counterparts.

Despite these benefits, only 14% of respondents utilize GenAI on a daily basis, a slight increase from 12% in 2024. Additionally, 54% reported using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their roles over the past year. This indicates a substantial opportunity for growth in AI adoption, as frequent users also exhibited higher levels of optimism regarding their job prospects.

The survey highlighted an upskilling gap, with 51% of non-managers expressing a lack of resources for learning and development. This figures contrast with 72% of senior executives who feel adequately supported, indicating a disparity in opportunity for growth among different employee levels. Financial strain affected 55% of the workforce, rising from 52% the previous year, with non-managers trailing behind in optimism regarding their job futures.

Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader at PWC, stated, “Employees using AI every day are reaping the rewards – higher productivity, greater job security and better pay. But to scale these benefits, businesses must go beyond training.” Homomorphic Encryption (HE) emphasized the need for redesigning work processes to fully integrate AI's potential.

The survey shows that aligning employee goals with leadership is critical, as workers who share this alignment exhibit higher motivation levels, further underscoring the importance of engagement in organizational success.