Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday work, with half of workers surveyed globally using it multiple times a week, according to ADP Research’s latest People at Work 2026 report. One in five workers say they use AI almost daily, highlighting how quickly the technology has evolved into a routine workplace tool.
India stands out as a global leader in this shift. A striking 41% of employees in India report using AI nearly every day, and 4 out of 5 (80%) employees use it at least multiple times a week – the highest levels recorded across all surveyed markets.
However, the findings also reveal a growing disconnect between AI adoption and perceived productivity. While 30% of daily AI users report being fully engaged, they are also four times more likely than non-users to say they feel less productive. This suggests that as AI takes over routine tasks, employees may feel their contributions are harder to quantify and evaluate.
This shift is particularly pronounced in India, where widespread adoption means many employees are already navigating new expectations around output, value, and performance.
“India is among the leading adopters of AI at work, but high adoption alone does not guarantee greater productivity. Many employees carry a quiet anxiety about the future of their careers, and whether AI is making their contribution harder to measure,” said Mr. Rahul Goyal, managing director, ADP India and Southeast Asia.
“As AI takes on more routine and checklist-driven tasks, employees are increasingly focusing on work that requires judgment, creativity, and human connection. This shift calls for a rethinking of how organisations define and measure productivity. Employers have a critical role to play in helping their workforce build confidence with AI, integrate it meaningfully into daily workflows, and develop the skills needed to thrive alongside it. Ultimately, the organisations that succeed will be those that invest in making their people more adaptable, not just more efficient.”
Frequent AI Users Report Higher Engagement and Lower Stress
The use of AI can contribute to a more positive workplace experience. According to the report, 11% of daily AI users report experiencing negative stress, roughly half the rate of non-users (23%).
Frequent AI users also report stronger team dynamics. They are more likely to say they are part of a work team and more likely to report being on the “best team” at work. Daily users are also more likely than less frequent users to feel their jobs are safe from elimination, indicating a strong link between regular AI use and job confidence.
Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP said, “AI is not only changing how work gets done, but also how people feel at work. Our data shows that frequent AI users report higher engagement and lower stress. But they also feel less productive. Employers that help workers transition to new ways of working with the technology can better foster a workplace where AI feels less like a disruption and more like a teammate.”
AI Adoption Varies Across Regions
AI usage varies widely across markets. India (41%), Nigeria (39%), and Vietnam (36%) lead globally in terms of daily AI usage.
In India, the report highlights several key trends shaping AI use at work across demographics and work types:
- Employees in India are optimistic about AI, with 31% feeling that AI will positively impact their job responsibilities in the coming year, second highest after Nigeria.
- Knowledge workers feel the most certain about AI with 37% feeling that AI will positively impact their job responsibilities, notably higher than skilled task workers (21%) and repetitive task workers (19%).
- Employees aged 18-39 are the most frequent AI users, with 43% of them using AI almost daily.
- Women in India are using AI more frequently than men, with 44% using AI nearly every day at work compared to men at 40%.
- In India, the use of AI by employees nearly every day remains high across small companies (1-249 employees) and large companies (1,000 or more), with India topping the charts.
- The share of employees using AI nearly every day increases with firm size, with 54% of employees in large companies (1000+) using AI daily, compared with 39% in mid-sized firms (249-999) and 32% in small firms (1-249).
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