In today’s high-speed business landscape, time is money—and saving it can mean big wins for efficiency and profitability. To keep up, more companies are turning to artificial intelligence. What was once considered innovative is now an essential part of daily workflows. But how is AI used in the workplace, and what impact is it really having on productivity and budget?
The rapid rise of AI in the workplace
Instead of fearing AI, companies are catching on to the undeniable value the technology brings to their desks. As such, we’re seeing a surge of professionals using AI tools to enhance productivity, streamline tasks, and foster collaboration. According to our 2025 AI in the Workplace report, 77% of managers now use AI at work to increase productivity or efficiency, an 11% increase from just a year ago. And a number we can only expect to see grow in the next 3-5 years.
How AI is used in the workplace to save time
It’s clear that AI and productivity go hand-in-hand. But how are professionals actually using AI at work to work smarter and deliver results faster?
1. Automating repetitive tasks
Companies across industries are already seeing tangible results from using AI at work in their daily operations. One of the most common ways AI is used in the workplace is to automate routine tasks. By handling these low-value but time-consuming tasks, AI helps employees focus on high-impact work.
Seven ways your team can be leveraging AI:
- Email management tools powered by AI can automatically prioritize and summarize messages, helping teams recover valuable time each week.
- Managers are turning to intelligent dashboards that surface performance metrics instantly, eliminating the need for hours spent combing through spreadsheets.
- AI presentation platforms, like Beautiful.ai, allow teams to create professional, on-brand slides in a fraction of the time it used to take.
- AI-assisted development tools can help engineers write, debug, and optimize code faster by offering context-aware suggestions in real time.
- Designers can auto-generate layouts, color palettes, and visual assets with AI, unlocking faster iterations and output.
- AI-powered chatbots and sentiment analysis tools handle common inquiries and escalate complex issues, improving response times and customer satisfaction at scale.
- With generative AI, anyone can create impactful copy and messaging for sales pitches, marketing initiatives, or board meetings without a copywriter or unnecessary bottlenecks.
These efficiencies don’t just speed things up—they free up employees to focus on work that drives results like strategy, storytelling, and decision-making.
2. Boosting manager efficiency
Managers are also embracing AI to streamline team leadership and reduce the administrative burden that often comes with managing people and projects. According to our 2025 AI in the Workplace survey, 57% of managers now use AI on a daily or weekly basis to assist with core management responsibilities. These include time-consuming tasks like scheduling meetings, organizing agendas, summarizing performance reports, and prioritizing team goals. Instead of spending hours compiling updates or coordinating logistics, managers can rely on AI tools to surface the most relevant insights and automate routine planning. This not only improves productivity, but also gives leaders more bandwidth to focus on coaching, strategic thinking, and team development—areas where the human touch remains irreplaceable.
The Budget benefits of using AI at work
It’s not just about saving time. AI can also deliver measurable financial savings when used strategically. Rather than replacing employees, organizations are adopting AI to extend their teams' capabilities and optimize how existing resources are used.
The idea that AI will eliminate jobs is becoming outdated. In fact, our data shows that 54% of managers no longer want to replace employees with AI. Even more telling, 63% of managers believe their teams couldn’t function effectively without the human element. These numbers highlight a shift in mindset: AI is no longer seen as a substitute for people, but as a partner that supports and amplifies their impact.
This change in perspective is leading to smarter resource allocation. By using AI to handle routine, time-consuming tasks, businesses are reducing operational waste and freeing up employee capacity. Instead of hiring additional headcount to manage growing workloads, companies are stretching the bandwidth of their current teams. This means more budget can be redirected toward high-value initiatives such as product innovation, customer engagement, and employee development.
In short, AI allows organizations to do more with the team they already have.
How to use AI in the workplace
For organizations ready to start (or scale) their AI initiatives, these tips can help ensure successful, sustainable integration:
Start small: Use AI for simple, repetitive tasks first
Be transparent: Clarify what AI will and won’t do
Invest in training: Help employees learn how to use AI tools confidently
Make it collaborative: Involve teams in selecting and testing AI solutions
Track impact: Measure time saved, budget shifts, and employee satisfaction
Using AI at work is no longer experimental, it’s the baseline. From saving time on emails to reducing operating costs, AI helps teams work smarter, not harder. More importantly, it allows employees to focus on what matters.
