Google: AI can help increase productivity by 122 hours per year

Google has released a preliminary report on its AI Works pilot project, which it launched last year in the UK, highlighting how the use of AI can impact individual productivity. The search giant has partnered with unions, small businesses and educational institutions from 12 schools in the UK to test different training methods.

The AI ​​Works report found that generative AI could save workers around 122 hours a year across a range of industries, far exceeding the initial estimate of 100 hours a year. The project also found that with just a few hours of training, people could double their daily AI usage, and that the habit remained high after several months.

Last year, Google predicted that AI-based innovation in the UK could lead to £400bn of economic growth by 2030. However, 50% of that projected growth depends on workers adopting and using AI tools.

The specific results are as follows:

1. 66% of workers (mostly women over 55 and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds) have never used AI at work.
2. Women over 55 are four times less likely to use AI than men under 35.
   Small businesses lag behind large corporations in AI adoption.
3. Before training, only 17% of women in the 55+ group used AI weekly and 9% used it daily. That number increased after three months: 56% used it weekly and 29% used it daily.

In terms of barriers, the report points out that workers need 'permission to prompt.' They need assurance that the use of AI is permitted and provides a fair, legal advantage, similar to using the internet or a search engine.

Forming habits can help train the AI ​​and lead to experimentation. After three months of training, many people start searching for command tips, watching videos, and reading articles to discover new features and use cases.

However, the use of AI tools in everyday life can cause some hesitation because they are still prone to errors. People still have mixed feelings about what AI will bring in the future, with fears that their jobs could be replaced.

Lesley Montoya

Update 26 May 2025