Generative AI power struggles are tearing companies apart, survey says

AI is everywhere. New tools pop up daily. But is it all smooth sailing? Not so fast.

A recent survey says AI is causing some serious friction at companies. Everyone wants the cool new toy, but nobody agrees on how to use it. The result? A tug-of-war between teams.

Big Spending, Little Payoff?

The survey, from Writer and Workplace Intelligence, looked at 1,600 workers. These workers included top execs and employees. They spanned different industries, including tech and healthcare. The big takeaway? Companies are dropping serious cash on AI.

We’re talking over a million dollars a year in some cases! But here’s the kicker: most executives aren’t seeing big returns. It’s like buying a fancy sports car and then getting stuck in traffic.

AI: Team Builder or Team Breaker?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Two out of three executives said AI is creating divisions. Almost half said it’s “tearing their company apart. ” Ouch. It’s like a family squabble over the TV remote, but with higher stakes.

May Habib, CEO of Writer, put it this way: AI has huge potential. But if you’re using a bunch of different AI tools that don’t talk to each other, you’re going to have problems.

Employees Are Actually Excited (and Paying! )

Despite the drama, most employees are optimistic. A lot of them are even paying for AI tools themselves. It’s like they’re saying, “I believe in this, even if my company is struggling with it. ”

And get this: a whopping 81% of employees and almost all executives want to work for a company that uses AI. It’s becoming a must-have perk, like good coffee or flexible hours.

What’s the Solution?

Dan Schawbel from Workplace Intelligence says it’s all about planning. Companies need to manage the changes that come with AI. They need to get everyone on board and invest in the right tools.

Habib suggests a clear plan for using AI across the whole company. And pick a vendor that offers training. That way, everyone knows how to use the tools properly.

Think of it like teaching everyone how to drive before handing them the keys to that fancy sports car. Otherwise, you’re just asking for a crash.