Nearly half of UK workers now use AI at least weekly as users report lower stress levels, ADP research finds

27 May, 2026

Almost one in five workers (20%) in the UK use AI daily, with 28% using it multiple times a week.
Frequent AI users report higher engagement and lower negative stress than non-users, but are more likely to question their productivity.
People at Work 2026 is built on ADP Research's Global Workforce Survey, which captures responses from over 39,000 workers in 36 markets, including 1,110 in the UK, to understand the world of work at large and gauge worker sentiment.

London, UK, 27 May 2026 – AI is becoming part of everyday work, with half of workers surveyed globally using it multiple times a week, according to ADP Research’s most recent issue of People at Work 2026. One in five workers say they use AI almost daily, highlighting how quickly the technology has evolved into a routine workplace tool.

While nearly a third 30% of workers who use AI daily in their work report feeling fully engaged, the research reveals a gap in perceptions toward AI productivity. Daily users are four times more likely to feel less productive than non-users, suggesting that frequent users may feel like they have achieved less as AI becomes more integrated into their daily work. As more checklist work is delegated to AI and workers transition to longer-term, strategic projects, organisations may need to reassess how productivity is tracked at work.

In the UK, nearly half (48%) of workers now use AI at least weekly, while 20% use it almost every day. ADP data shows a strong link between AI usage and engagement at work – with 30% of regular users globally reporting they are fully engaged at work, compared with 14% of non-users.

ADP’s research also suggests a link between increased AI usage and a reduction in work-related stress – with fewer workers reporting a high incidence of negative stress on the job. Just 11% of daily users report feeling overloaded, compared with 23% of workers who have never used AI.

Jeff Phipps, General Manager, ADP UK & Northern Europe, said: “AI presents a paradox employers can’t afford to ignore: those same workers benefiting from AI are more likely to question their productivity. This tells us AI is changing how people work faster than how we measure output and performance, but workplace use is still in its infancy and business leaders need to think carefully about the adoption of the technology ensuring that the benefits are realised across their organisation. The benefits are real, but our understanding of the human experience is different and pitfalls not yet well understood.”

Frequent AI Users Report Higher Engagement and Lower Stress

The use of AI can contribute to a more positive workplace experience. According to the report, 11% of daily AI users report experiencing negative stress, roughly half the rate of non-users (23%).

Frequent AI users also report stronger team dynamics. They are more likely to say they are part of a work team and more likely to report being on the “best team” at work. Daily users are also more likely than less frequent users to feel their jobs are safe from elimination, indicating a strong link between regular AI use and job confidence.

AI Adoption Trends in the UK

In the UK, the report highlights several key trends shaping AI use at work across demographics and work types:

Workers in the UK are growing more optimistic about AI, with 17% strongly agreeing AI will positively impact their job responsibilities in the coming year – up from 14% last year.
Knowledge workers are by far the most positive about AI, with 27% strongly agreeing it will benefit their role, nearly double the European knowledge-worker average (15%) and almost five times higher than UK repetitive task workers (6%).
Workers aged 27–39 are the UK's most frequent AI users, with 31% using it almost daily.
Despite rising optimism, 8% of UK workers still strongly fear their job will be replaced by AI, while 11% say they have no idea how AI will change their job, highlighting to a clear communication and upskilling gap for employers.

Read the full report.

END

About “People at Work 2026” Report Series Methodology

People at Work 2026 features survey findings derived from ADP Research's annual Global Workforce Survey of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets to uncover global workforce sentiment, an examination of how people are navigating the complexities of a changing world. The report presents worker sentiment data sifted by geography, job type, and other dimensions, providing employers with a fine-tuned and granular view of the global workforce that can be used to better understand their workforce and drive growth through data-driven talent decisions.

The 2025 Global Workforce Survey collected responses between July 21 and August 4, 2025, from a random sample, stratified by age and gender, of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets, to provide regional and market comparisons of worker sentiment. Respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, on-site and remote work environments, work types, and skill sets. They represent a range of management and individual contributor roles, working for employers of all sizes.

To view the latest People at Work 2026, in addition to previous versions, visit here.

About ADP Research

The mission of ADP Research is to make the future of work more productive through data-driven discovery. Companies, workers, and policymakers rely on our finely tuned data and unique perspective to make informed decisions that impact workplaces around the world. To subscribe to monthly email alerts or obtain additional information about ADP Research, including employment and pay data, methodology, and a calendar of release dates, please visit https://www.adpresearch.com

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)

ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises — and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we're focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP's exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at uk.ADP.com

ADP, the ADP logo, and Always Designing for People, are trademarks of ADP, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

ADP Media Contact:

Nicolas Swiatek
ADP International Services
nicolas.swiatek@adp.com