Howden Survey: One in Three UK Workers Expect 'AI Dividend' Pay Raises from Productivity Gains
A new survey by insurance group Howden finds that one in three UK workers expect higher pay if their employer achieves significant productivity gains or cost savings through AI.
A recent survey of over 2,000 employees by UK insurance group Howden has found that one in three British workers expect higher pay if their employer is able to achieve significant productivity gains or cost savings through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Howden describes this expectation as an 'AI dividend'.
The study indicates that while UK workers are generally willing to use AI at work, they do so on the condition that its benefits are shared with them and not just retained by the company. Beyond higher pay, those impacted by AI also expect shorter working hours (16%), greater job security (15%), and bonuses (13%) if their company manages to unlock AI's benefits.
However, acceptance is accompanied by anxiety. Forty-nine percent of workers worry they could be expected to complete even more work because of time savings, and another 50% fear AI could soon be used to assess their performance. Additionally, 53% are worried they won't have time to learn new skills on top of existing workloads, and half fear AI could be introduced faster than they can understand it.
Cheryl Brennan, MD of Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing, stated that simply providing access to AI training isn't enough; workers need full support, including dedicated learning time. She emphasized that the workforce is central to the AI-productivity journey and that a misalignment in expectations must be addressed to improve the chances of success.