Even as artificial intelligence grows in popularity, both in personal use and in the workplace to boost productivity, some employees are actually pretending to use AI, according to a new report from Howdy.com.
Roughly 16 percent of professionals sometimes pretend to use AI, according to the survey of more than 1,000 full-time workers.
Why It Matters
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence systems is leading to major changes in how Americans interact with technology, information and everyday services.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into web searches, workplace tasks and personal routines, data from multiple recent studies have indicated a sizable shift in user behavior, digital literacy and the broader impact on work and social structures.
However, as many workplaces begin to expect AI skills from workers, some employees may inevitably lag behind in skill adoption and pretend to use the tool in an attempt to appear more productive.
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What To Know
In today’s workplace, 59 percent of workers report using AI at least daily, according to Howdy.com.
However, the onus may be falling on employees financially, as 56 percent admitted to paying out of their own pockets for more powerful AI tools at work.
Companies are also generally expecting AI use from workers, according to the report, as 75 percent said they are expected to use AI officially, and 22 percent said they feel pressured to use AI in situations they’re unsure about.
“Workers pretending to use AI is a symptom of modern micromanagement. Bosses want to see productivity, and AI has become the latest checkbox,” HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. “Employees fake it because they fear being judged as less competent if they don’t adopt it quickly, especially older workers, which could open companies to legal risks.”
This may lead to the 16 percent of professionals who say they have actually pretended to use AI at work.
“There’s a perception that AI adoption is synonymous with career security, and second, organizations often overestimate how seamlessly new technology fits into daily workflows,” Reza Hashemi, CEO and founder of Binj and ZEROin AI, told Newsweek. “Long term, if businesses don’t bridge the gap between hype and practical application, they risk creating a culture of fear and superficial adoption instead of true innovation.”
However, among those that do incorporate AI into their workflows, 72 percent said they were less burned out as a result, and 74 percent reported having less workplace stress.
What People Are Saying
Reza Hashemi, CEO and founder of Binj and ZEROin AI, told Newsweek: “Employees pretending to use AI is less about laziness and more about pressure. Many workers feel their value is tied to how quickly they adopt new tools, even if their company hasn’t given them the training, policies, or practical use cases to succeed with AI. In that gap, people ‘fake it’ to appear modern, efficient, and competitive.”
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: “Long term, this obsession with appearances over outcomes erodes trust, deepens generational divides, and creates a workplace that values showmanship over actual results.”
What Happens Next
Companies that are able to help their employees use AI in an easy, understandable way will likely gain a competitive edge in the years to come, experts say.
“The companies that win with AI won’t just mandate its use, they’ll invest in making it understandable, safe, and genuinely useful,” Hashemi said. “That’s when employees stop pretending and start leveraging AI to unlock real productivity.”
