Millions of Brits could be using generative AI in the workplace without permission from their bosses, according to new research from Deloitte.

The study, which surveyed more than 4,000 UK adults between the ages of 16 and 75, found that around four million people have used generative AI for work.

The report also revealed that only 23 per cent of total respondents think that their employer would approve of them using generative AI for work purposes.

Costi Perricos, partner and global AI and data lead at Deloitte said that employers need to offer "proper guidelines and guardrails" so that their staff know how, when and where they can use the technology.

“Businesses will also need to consider how they communicate their own policies on generative AI to customers and understand how their suppliers are using the technology to ensure transparency,” added Perricos. “People need to understand the risk and inaccuracies associated with content generated purely from AI, and where possible be informed when content, such as text, images or audio is AI-generated.”

Additionally, the research demonstrates that the majority of Brits – 52 per cent – have heard of the technology, while just over a quarter have used it.

Of those that had used the technology, 43 per cent mistakenly think that it always produces factually accurate answers.

A further 38 per cent of respondents that had used generative AI believe its answers are unbiased.

“Within just a few months of the launch of the most popular Generative AI tools, one in four people in the UK have already tried out the technology,” said Paul Lee, partner and head of technology, media and telecommunications research at Deloitte. “As a comparison, it took five years for voice-assisted speakers to achieve the same adoption levels. It is incredibly rare for any emerging technology to achieve these levels of adoption and frequency of usage so rapidly.”

However, Lee added that the technology is still relatively nascent, with user interfaces, regulatory environment, legal status and accuracy still "a work in progress".

He predicts that over the coming months there will be increased investment in generative AI tools and a move to develop the technology to address these challenges.

Share Story: