UK employees who rely on artificial intelligence at work are losing more than seven hours each week to inefficient and disconnected systems, according to a recent survey by Workday.
Researchers polled 2,400 UK professionals and found that 25% of them waste over seven hours every week. This amounts to more than a full working day per month, which could be better spent on more productive and creative tasks. The survey defines this phenomenon as a ‘copy-paste economy’, where employees are forced to duplicate efforts across multiple AI systems that don’t talk to each other seamlessly.
Disjointed AI systems lead to frustration and wasted time
The survey results indicate that the primary cause of this frustration is the lack of integration between different AI systems used by employees. This leads to errors, duplicated efforts, and ultimately, a significant loss of productivity. Employees are often required to manually enter data, reconcile discrepancies, and perform other tedious tasks that could be automated with more connected systems.
The cost of inefficiency: A ‘copy-paste economy’
The ‘copy-paste economy’ is a result of the fragmented nature of modern work environments, where different departments and teams use separate AI systems that don’t communicate effectively. This can lead to a significant loss of productivity, as employees are forced to spend a substantial amount of time on tasks that could be automated. The human resources and financial applications surveyed in the study are among the most affected by this issue.
What this means
The findings of the Workday survey highlight the need for more integrated and connected AI systems in the workplace. Employers should prioritize the development of seamless and interoperable systems to reduce the time employees spend on manual tasks. By doing so, they can boost productivity, improve employee satisfaction, and create a more efficient work environment.