According to PwC’s 2025 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, workers who use generative AI daily are reporting significant gains in productivity, job security, and pay—evidence that the much-hyped technology is already transforming the workplace for those who’ve embraced it.
The global survey of nearly 50,000 employees across 48 economies found that 92% of daily GenAI users said their productivity improved over the past year, compared with just 58% of infrequent users. The same pattern held for job security (58% vs. 36%) and pay rises (52% vs. 32%).
Put simply: the more people use AI, the more they seem to benefit—financially and professionally.
“Employees using AI every day are reaping the rewards—higher productivity, greater job security and better pay,” said Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader at PwC. “But to scale these benefits, businesses must go beyond training. Work itself needs to be redesigned and the human–machine partnership redefined.”
The AI Divide: A Tale of Two Workforces
Despite the clear upside, GenAI adoption remains low. Only 14% of workers use AI daily, up slightly from 12% in 2024, while 54% said they’ve used it at least once in the past year. A mere 6% report using “agentic AI”—autonomous systems capable of completing tasks without human prompting—on a daily basis.
The findings point to a widening AI skills and access divide. Those who use AI regularly are extending their lead, while non-users risk being left behind.
Daily GenAI users are also more optimistic about their future roles (69%) compared to infrequent (51%) and non-users (44%), suggesting confidence is another byproduct of AI familiarity.
Uneven Access to Upskilling
The report highlights a persistent imbalance in how organizations invest in employee growth. Only 51% of non-managers say they have access to the learning and development opportunities they need, compared to 66% of managers and 72% of senior executives.
That disparity deepens when AI enters the picture. Among daily AI users, 75% feel they have sufficient learning resources—while only 59% of infrequent users say the same.
The survey also found cultural differences around learning. 54% of workers globally say their teams treat failure as a learning opportunity, but that number jumps to 65% in tech and falls to 47% in transport and logistics—a sign that innovation-friendly cultures could be a key differentiator in the AI era.
Financial Strain Is Rising—Especially Among Gen Z
Not all the news is upbeat. PwC reports 55% of workers globally are experiencing financial strain, up from 52% last year. Only 43% received a pay rise, and just 17% were promoted in the past year.
The emotional toll is rising, too: 35% of workers feel overwhelmed at least once a week, climbing to 42% among Gen Z. Optimism about the future is slipping—just over half (53%) feel positive about their roles over the next year, with confidence lowest among non-managers (43%) and highest among executives (72%).
Still, there’s a clear link between trust in leadership and motivation. Workers who feel aligned with company goals are 78% more motivated than those who don’t—a gap that could make or break engagement levels in a year of economic uncertainty.
“This isn’t just a technology story; it’s a people story,” said Nicki Wakefield, Global Clients & Industries Leader at PwC. “Workers thrive when they understand the plan. Leaders must redesign work and provide clarity and confidence—simple everyday use cases, strong guardrails, and the skills, trust and support that turn AI from hype into real help.”
The Bottom Line
PwC’s latest survey captures a pivotal moment: AI is already improving work outcomes—but unevenly. Daily users are pulling ahead, buoyed by productivity and pay gains, while the majority of workers still face barriers to adoption, learning, and confidence.
For business leaders, the message is clear: upskilling and redesigning work are no longer optional. If AI is the future of productivity, access to it—and the skills to use it—will define the future of work itself.
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