Understanding AI Personas to Enhance Workplace Adoption

A recent Slack study uncovers five distinct “AI personas” among workers, revealing that over two-thirds have yet to engage with AI at work. This segmentation offers valuable insights for employers looking to tailor strategies to boost AI adoption and productivity by addressing diverse levels of engagement and skepticism.

Among the 5,000 global desk workers surveyed, about 30% are categorized as Maximalists. These employees are highly engaged with AI, frequently using and promoting these tools. Predominantly under the age of 44, Maximalists are enthusiastic about AI's potential. Employers should harness this enthusiasm by providing platforms for these employees to share their AI experiences and innovations with their peers.

Conversely, the Underground group, representing 20% of workers, engages with AI discreetly. Many of these individuals report a lack of company support for AI, leading them to keep their AI activities private. This hidden use of AI may be more prevalent than employers realize. Additionally, unmonitored AI use poses risks, as it creates the potential for hackers to exploit such environments to access sensitive information, compromise code integrity, or launch sophisticated attacks like code injection, as reported by MBN.

The study also highlights the Rebel persona, comprising 19% of respondents, who exhibit significant skepticism toward AI. Many Rebels avoid AI altogether and view it as a societal threat. This group is notably older, with more than half over the age of 45. To address their concerns, employers should focus on educating this demographic about AI’s benefits for productivity and how it can alleviate fears of job displacement.

Superfans, making up 16% of the workforce, are enthusiastic about AI but have not yet fully integrated it into their routines. This group's curiosity spans various age ranges, reflecting widespread interest across generations. Employers can engage Superfans by offering targeted training and encouraging knowledge sharing among colleagues.

Lastly, the Observer group, also 16% of respondents, shows indifference toward AI but expresses interest in learning more. For this group, initiating basic AI training and demonstrating practical use cases can help spark interest and foster further engagement.

Christina Janzer, Senior Vice President of Research and Analytics, Slack, emphasized that these personas are not fixed and can evolve with effective engagement strategies. To advance AI adoption, Slack recommends that employers establish clear AI guidelines, increase the visibility of AI usage, and cultivate a culture of experimentation and trust. By understanding and addressing these personas, employers can better support their employees in embracing AI, thereby driving innovation and enhancing productivity in the workplace.