The rapid growth of artificial intelligence may be outpacing the ability of workers to integrate the new technology and apply it to improve productivity.

“As organizations accelerate their AI investments, it’s clear that realizing AI’s promise requires a deeper understanding of the employee experience and impact on productivity,” said Dennis Kozak, CEO of the IT and security software company Ivanti. “Tools that monitor and analyze how employees interact with technology in real time offer data-driven insights, revealing workflow bottlenecks and initiating self-healing actions.”

The company’s 2025 Digital Employee Experience report reveals a widening disconnect between organizations’ perceptions of their digital maturity and the real-world tech challenges faced by office workers and IT professionals. Although more than 9 in 10 companies plan to increase their AI investments over the next three years, only 21% of office workers say AI is significantly improving their productivity. Office workers already experience 3.6 tech interruptions and 2.7 security update disruptions each month, causing nearly $4 million in lost annual productivity for a company with 2,000 employees.

Although the number of workplace tools is exploding faster than employees can master them, nearly half of office workers say they're left to teach themselves how to use new technology. This is a source of frustration for employees and inefficiency for the business.

Among the other key findings in the report:

  • A new frontier in workplace benefits is emerging, giving employees greater autonomy over their technology. On average, office workers rate their workplace tools at just a B-minus. Sixty-five percent report that frustrations with these tools can negatively affect their mood and morale. Device choice is also a pressing concern. Although two-thirds note that having a say in the devices they use is important, only 36% currently enjoy this freedom.
  • AI is transforming help desks, moving them beyond the break-fix cycle that has defined IT support for decades. Although most companies have automated basic IT operations such as security patch management (72%) and IT ticket routing (67%), significant opportunities remain. Nearly 40% still haven't automated password resets, missing an easy win that could eliminate countless routine support tickets.
  • As AI adoption accelerates, organizations must invest in strategies that deliver measurable improvements to both employee satisfaction and the bottom line.

“By embracing digital employee experience, organizations can take their AI initiatives further and truly empower their workforce, moving from reactive problem solving to proactive improvement,” Kozak said. “Digital employee experience is more than a strategy for improving the employee experience; it’s the engine that embeds AI into company culture, productivity and daily operations.”

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