Employees worldwide are adopting generative AI faster than their leaders expect, according to McKinsey & Company’s January 2025 report, “Superagency in the workplace: Empowering people to unlock AI’s full potential.”
The report examines the survey results of companies’ preparedness for AI adoption. In October and November 2024, McKinsey queried 3,613 employees, managers, and independent contributors and 238 C-level executives.
Eighty-one percent of respondents were from the United States, while the rest represented Australia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Participants held various roles across business development, finance, marketing, product management, sales, and technology.
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According to the report, 62% of millennials aged 35 to 44 reported strong expertise with AI.
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Public sector, aerospace/defense, and semiconductor workers are less optimistic about AI’s near-term impact. Only 20% expect significant changes to their work in the next year, contrasting with the media/entertainment and telecom sectors, where about two-thirds anticipate significant AI-driven changes.
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Most executives (87%) anticipate generative AI will boost revenue within three years, with half expecting gains above 5%.