Google’s UK pilot shows employees could reclaim 122 hours a year by using AI for routine office work. This finding highlights the technology’s potential to boost productivity and add as much as £400 billion ($533 billion) to Britain’s economy, provided workers receive basic training and managerial support.
Arrière-plan
Google’s “AI Works” initiative tested generative AI tools, such as its Gemini chatbot, in small business networks, educational trusts, and a labor union across the UK. The project, run in partnership with the policy consultancy Public First, aimed to measure time savings on tasks such as drafting emails, scheduling, and data entry.
On Friday, Google published its report on these pilots, noting that simple steps granting employees “permission to prompt” AI and providing just a few hours of hands-on training doubled adoption rates and drove sustained use months later.
Pilot Findings
- Time savings: Workers shaved off an average of 122 hours annually on administrative chores.
- Economic upside: If widely adopted, AI could contribute up to £400 billion to the UK’s GDP by accelerating workflows and enabling higher-value activities.
- Adoption gap: Before the intervention, two-thirds of participants, particularly older women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, had never utilized generative AI at work.
Overcoming Barriers
Many employees hesitated to try out AI due to concerns that it might be “illegitimate or unfair” in their roles. Debbie Weinstein, Google’s president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, said simply reassuring staff that AI use was encouraged—”permission to prompt”—was critical to building confidence and legitimacy.
After a brief training session:
- Weekly AI use among women over 55 jumped from 17% to 56%.
- Daily usage rose from 9% to 29% within three months.
Implications for Business and Policy
Productivity and Growth
Administrative automation frees employees to focus on strategic, creative, or customer-facing work, potentially raising overall workplace satisfaction and innovation.
Workforce Development
Policymakers and corporate leaders should pair the rollout of technology with inclusive training programs, ensuring that underrepresented groups gain the skills and confidence to harness AI effectively.
Prochaines Étapes
- Scale pilots: Expand AI Works to larger firms and additional sectors to validate time-savings and economic models.
- Measure ROI: Track how reclaimed hours translate into revenue, innovation metrics, and employee engagement.
- Policy support: Encourage public–private partnerships to fund AI literacy initiatives, particularly for older and lower-income workers.
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