AI Adoption in Workplace Boosted by Employee Empowerment, Training

Daniel Yanisse, cofounder and CEO of Checkr, advocates for a bottom-up approach to AI adoption in the workplace. By allowing employees to expense AI tools, Yanisse has witnessed notable enhancements in overall skills development. This strategy not only empowers employees but also cultivates a culture of innovation and continuous learning.

AI adoption in the workplace is significantly influenced by confidence and functionality. Employees are more inclined to embrace AI tools when they are comfortable with their capabilities and see clear benefits. However, the comfort level with AI adoption varies across different generations. Younger employees, such as Millennials and Gen Z, are generally more enthusiastic about AI tools, viewing them as productivity boosters. In contrast, older generations, like Gen X and Baby Boomers, may approach AI with skepticism, often requiring more reassurance and proof of value before fully adopting these tools.

According to the Yooz 2025 Workplace Tech Resistance Report, younger workers are driving change but not without friction. Over half of Millennials are excited to try new workplace tools, compared to just 22% of Baby Boomers. Nearly 1 in 4 Gen Z employees have refused to use a new workplace tool at least once, indicating a higher level of discernment among younger workers.

Employees expect workplace technology to evolve rather than disrupt their workflows. Only 29% believe that workplace technology will radically change the way they work in the next five years, while 44% expect incremental improvements. However, 51% say that workplace tech rollouts often create internal chaos rather than operational improvement, underscoring a gap between innovation goals and employee experience.

Training remains a top barrier to tech adoption. Over 52% of employees report receiving only basic training for new tools, and 20% receive little to no guidance at all. Better training is identified as a key factor in improving adoption rates, with 48% of respondents believing that more comprehensive training would significantly enhance the success of new tools.

Ease of use is another critical factor, especially for younger workers. Nearly 39% of employees believe workplace tools should be more intuitive and require minimal training. For Gen Z, ease of use is the top predictor of success, with 33% citing it as the most important factor in whether a tool will be adopted.

Employees also want more input in selecting tools and faster leadership alignment. Nearly 36% of employees say adoption would improve if they had more input in selecting tools, and 28% say leaders need to embrace change faster to set the tone. Younger employees are particularly likely to want a seat at the table when it comes to tech decisions.

Industry culture plays a significant role in AI adoption. Resistance to digital adoption is strongest in sectors with entrenched practices, such as government, construction, and manufacturing. These industries often face longstanding workflows, compliance complexity, or institutional inertia, making it challenging to integrate new technologies.

In conclusion, successful AI adoption in the workplace requires a strategic approach that addresses employee confidence, training, ease of use, and leadership support. By empowering employees and fostering a culture of innovation, companies can bridge the generational tech gap and create an environment where AI tools are embraced as drivers of progress.