From time saved to value created: Rethinking productivity in the age of AI

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the workplace. In 2024, employees said they saved an average of one hour per day using AI. By 2025, that figure doubled to two hours. Yet many organisations aren’t seeing the productivity gains they anticipated. The issue isn’t the time saved—it’s how that time is used.

Only 36% of employees feel confident measuring the impact of their work. Without clarity on what constitutes high-value output, time saved through AI may be redirected toward low-impact tasks. This limits both individual growth and organisational performance.

Future-ready workers are 12 percentage points more likely to take ownership of their development. They seek guidance, align their efforts with strategic goals, and invest in skills that create measurable value.

To bridge the gap between efficiency and impact, leaders must do more than implement AI tools. They must define what high-value work looks like, guide employees toward meaningful development, and provide ways to measure contribution.

AI is a powerful enabler, but human insight and purpose remain essential. The future of work depends not just on saving time—but on making time count.

Are you interested to learn more? Download our report 'Humanity at work: How to thrive in the AI era'.