Current State Of Workplace IT Impedes AI Productivity Benefits: Lenovo Study
Workplace research finds employee productivity is a top priority, though current systems are sorely lacking.
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Even as generative artificial intelligence offers opportunities when it comes to the future of work, there are challenges that organisations must overcome, and there is an urgent need for digital workplace transformation to ensure AI’s successful adoption.
A new Lenovo global survey of 600 IT leaders shows that while 79% of respondents believe AI will allow employees to focus on more impactful work, less than half feel their current digital workplace solutions adequately support productivity, engagement, and innovation.
Only 36% believe their systems support employee engagement “very effectively,” while a staggering 89% said organisations must first overhaul their digital workplace to fully unlock AI’s potential.
Unlocking AI’s Potential For Productivity And Engagement
The report highlights that generative AI will be a game-changer for collaboration, creativity, and productivity, outlining several key areas where AI can positively impact organisations.
Enhanced Collaboration: AI-powered tools such as virtual co-authoring and real-time translations break down barriers, enabling seamless teamwork across geographies and languages.
Creative Empowerment: By automating repetitive tasks, AI frees employees to focus on more strategic and innovative work, driving creative problem-solving.
Productivity Boosts: AI-driven insights streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and accelerate day-to-day operations.
Roadblocks: Personalisation And Adoption Barriers
Despite the urgent need to transform the digital workplace around AI, several key challenges remain in its widespread adoption:
Personalisation Gaps: While 63% of IT leaders surveyed agree that a highly personalised digital workplace is essential, a lack of configurable devices and applications remains a top barrier. This one-size-fits-all approach leaves employees underserved.
Support Automation: Around 61% of IT leaders acknowledged the need for AI-driven IT support automation, but many organisations still struggle to integrate these systems effectively.
Core Recommendations
The report provides three recommendations for businesses looking to harness AI in the workplace:
Simplify And Personalise The Employee Experience: Tailor tools, workflows, and experiences to individual roles, ensuring maximum productivity and innovation.
Automate IT Processes: Use generative AI to efficiently manage devices and meet diverse employee needs, freeing up resources for higher-value tasks.
Transform Workflows For Value Creation: Rethink existing workflows and processes to fully capitalize on generative AI’s capabilities and drive innovation.
