75% of Indian Desk Workers Adopting AI and Automation to Drive Productivity

by | Jul 24, 2023

Bangalore, July 20, 2023 – Slack today released findings from their latest State of Work report, which found that Indian organizations are seeking innovative and efficient methods to enhance employee productivity. The report, based on a survey of more than 2000 Indian desk workers, uncovered that AI and automation capabilities have the potential to streamline and optimize repetitive, time-consuming tasks, allowing Indian desk workers to focus on higher-value, strategic work. The findings constitute part of a global Slack survey of more than 18,000 workers across nine countries.

The report uncovers three trends defining modern work and driving employee productivity today:

  1. The adoption of AI & automation is revolutionizing organizations by increasing productivity.
  2. Office work and design are being redefined in the age of hybrid work.
  3. Employee engagement and talent development also directly impact productivity.
AI and Automation

Image Credit: Slack

India is the leader in AI adoption globally

Organizations that have embraced AI tools and automation are likely to experience enhanced productivity within their organizations:

  • Those in India who have adopted AI in their work are 53% more likely to report significantly higher levels of productivity than those who have not.
  • Most (77%) employees surveyed globally say that being able to automate routine tasks, such as getting expense report approvals, would improve their productivity.
  • Globally, those who use automation at work estimate saving an average of 3.6 hours a week – this equates to at minimum one working month a year* given back to each employee to focus on meaningful work.
AI and Automation

Image credit: Slack

Beyond AI and automation, Indian desk workers see value in new ways of working

In the age of hybrid work, employees in India seek flexibility and a setting that promotes inclusivity and collaboration. A workplace setting that empowers them to strike a better work-life balance is in high demand.

  • Employees surveyed in India say that flexible work schedules are one of the best ways for their employer to support their productivity.
  • Employees who were surveyed globally say that a flexible location (36%), and unique workplace benefits, such as providing lunch or recreational activities (32%), also enhance productivity.

However, only a few executives are using modern strategies to improve how employees work with each other – wherever they are:

  • When surveyed globally, only 19% encourage asynchronous work, for example when sharing status updates.
  • Over a third (35%) of global employees cite spending too much time in meetings as a top productivity challenge.
  • Globally, employees say that 43% of their meetings could be eliminated with no real adverse consequences.

Productivity and wellness are not mutually exclusive — to deliver results, organizations need to focus on employee well-being

Job satisfaction, engagement, and mental wellness are also top factors that contribute to productivity, so it is crucial for leaders to consider these areas as part of how they redefine and drive productivity:

  • The majority (94%) of employees in India say feeling happy and engaged at work is a key driver of their productivity.
  • Indian desk workers who feel more productive are 13% more likely to be able to focus.
  • Globally, employers need to prioritize wellness, as 53% of employees say that they feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if they’re sent after standard working hours.

Managers play a pivotal role in shaping work culture and must be equipped with the necessary skills, tools, and team wellness support to drive efficiency and productivity. However, they face challenges in creating a healthy and productive environment:

  • Managers in India state that the top barrier to productivity faced by them is helping their teams have a good work-life balance
  • The top barrier to productivity faced by knowledge workers in India is spending too much time in meetings and email.
  • When surveyed globally, 43% of managers struggle to help their team stay motivated.

Organizations must prioritize addressing these challenges, removing barriers that impede productivity in the face of growing business demands. Employees are eager to streamline work processes and boost productivity, but many need help finding the best approach.

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Brian Pereira
Brian Pereira
Brian Pereira is an Indian journalist and editor based in Mumbai. He founded Digital Creed in 2015. A technology buff, former computer instructor, and software developer, Brian has 29 years of journalism experience (since 1994). Brian is the former Editor of CHIP India, InformationWeek India and CISO Mag. He has served India's leading newspaper groups: The Times of India and The Indian Express. Presently, he serves the Information Security Media Group, as Sr. Director, Editorial. You'll find his most current work on CIO Inc. During his career he wrote (and continues to write) 5000+ technology articles. He conducted more than 450 industry interviews. Brian writes on aviation, drones, cybersecurity, tech startups, cloud, data center, AI/ML/Gen AI, IoT, Blockchain etc. He achieved certifications from the EC-Council (Certified Secure Computer User) and from IBM (Basics of Cloud Computing). Apart from those, he has successfully completed many courses on Content Marketing and Business Writing. He recently achieved a Certificate in Cybersecurity (CC) from the international certification body ISC2. Follow Brian on Twitter (@creed_digital) and LinkedIn. Email Brian at: [email protected]
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