Survey reveals gaps in Gen AI use among professionals

New research from WalkMe has revealed significant gaps in the utilisation of Generative AI (Gen AI) within businesses, according to its recent survey focusing on Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) professionals. Despite the ongoing push for adoption, over half of the companies reported that less than a quarter of their employees, or none at all, are currently using Gen AI.

The survey outlined several primary obstacles hindering the adoption of Gen AI. A quarter of respondents cited a lack of technical knowledge as a major barrier. Regulatory and security concerns were also highlighted by 24% of the survey participants. Further challenges included insufficient change management programmes (17%) and employee resistance (12%).

DAP professionals, however, appear to be leading the charge in AI integration. The survey shows that nearly 60% of DAP professionals are already incorporating AI products or solutions in their daily tasks. This indicates AI's growing role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of digital adoption projects. Regional differences were noted, with respondents from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) reporting the lowest use of AI compared to other regions.

The survey also identified some of the most popular use cases for AI among DAP professionals. Task automation is the most prominent application, with 29.4% of respondents utilising AI for this purpose. Streamlining workflows (28.3%) and providing application walkthroughs or guided tours (21%) were also common applications.

Despite the reported benefits and increasing use of AI by DAP professionals, challenges remain. thirty-eight percent of DAP professionals indicated that less than a quarter of their organisation uses Gen AI tools, and another 15% reported no use of Gen AI at all within their company. These statistics highlight the significant growth potential for DAP professionals to help bridge the gap in AI adoption across organisations.

In North America, DAP professionals appear to see notable career advancements related to AI integration. The survey results suggest that significant salary increases can occur as early as one to two years into a digital adoption career. The potential for rapid advancement is underscored by findings that 68% of DAP professionals in North America earn more than the median salary.

WalkMe has taken steps to eliminate some barriers to learning by making all certification exams within its Digital Adoption Institute (DAI) free for WalkMe customers.

The profession itself has seen remarkable growth. Currently, over 7,000 professionals list WalkMe on their LinkedIn profiles, representing a 169% increase since 2020. Brittany Rolfe Hillard, WalkMe’s Vice President of Customer Experience & Engagement, commented on the findings, stating, “As organizations face an imperative to tap into generative AI technologies, DAP professionals play a vital role integrating AI into enterprise workflows. This recent survey highlights the adaptive nature of DAP professionals and their crucial role in driving digital transformation across industries.”

The overall data provides a comprehensive look at the current state and future potential of AI adoption led by DAP professionals. The findings offer both a realistic overview of the challenges and an optimistic view of the profession's growing importance in technology-driven transformation.