AI Users Report Healthier Work Relationships, HP Study Finds

HP Inc.’s latest HP Work Relationship Index (WRI) reveals insights into global work relationships. The comprehensive study surveyed 15,600 respondents across 12 countries, showing that only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work—a marginal increase of one point from last year. The study highlights AI and personalized work experiences as crucial factors for enhancing these relationships.

Personalized work experiences are increasingly important, with two-thirds of workers expressing a desire for tailored work environments, including customized workspaces and flexible options. This personalization is linked to improved outcomes: 64% of knowledge workers would invest more in their company’s growth with personalized experiences, 69% believe it would enhance their overall well-being, and 68% would stay longer with their current employer. Notably, 87% of knowledge workers are willing to sacrifice part of their salary for personalized work experiences, with Gen Z workers willing to give up up to 19% of their salary.

AI adoption among knowledge workers has increased significantly to 66% in 2024, up from 38% last year. Those using AI report a healthier work relationship: 73% find AI simplifies their tasks, 69% customize AI to boost productivity, 60% see AI as improving work-life balance, and 68% believe AI creates new opportunities to enjoy work. AI users are 11 points happier with their work relationships compared to non-users, highlighting the urgency of integrating AI, as non-AI users express heightened concerns about job security.

The study also identifies a gap in leadership confidence. Despite recognizing the benefits of empathy, only 44% of leaders feel confident in their human skills, while 28% of workers perceive empathy from their leaders. Female leaders stand out with greater confidence, showing 10 points higher in hard skills and 13 points higher in human skills compared to male leaders. Female leaders’ confidence in human skills has increased by 10 points over the past year, whereas male leaders’ confidence has remained stagnant or declined.