64% turn to AI for tasks beyond their capabilities

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is helping employees take on tasks beyond their current skill levels, but the trend is also making it harder for employers to accurately assess individual capabilities, according to a new survey of nearly 10,000 workers across Europe and the Americas. The study by Use.AI, which surveyed 9,684 working adults in the US, UK, Canada, the European Union and Latin America, found that 52% of respondents believed AI had made them appear more experienced than they actually were.

Around 64% said they had used AI to complete work they would not have been able to do independently, while 43% said the technology had enabled them to undertake responsibilities they did not feel qualified to handle.

The findings also highlighted concerns about transparency. About 39% of respondents said they had submitted AI-assisted work without disclosing its use, while 30% acknowledged accepting praise for work substantially produced by AI. Nearly one in five said AI-assisted work had contributed to a promotion.

The survey also found that 35% of employees would struggle to perform parts of their current jobs without AI. 

As AI tools become increasingly autonomous, traditional performance assessments may need to evolve. Employers may have to evaluate not only what employees produce but also their ability to frame problems, challenge assumptions, verify AI-generated information and defend their decisions.

The findings underline a growing workplace challenge: AI can significantly enhance productivity, but organisations must distinguish between what employees can produce with AI and what they genuinely understand.