The AI Hierarchy: Execs Use AI 4X More Than Frontline Workers, BambooHR Study Finds

The new research shows an emerging efficiency gap, where company encouragement to adopt AI falls short while frontline staff wait for training

DRAPER, Utah, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BambooHR®, the easiest-to-use people platform for HR, payroll, and benefits, today released a new workplace report, Clarity over Chaos: Embracing AI for Adaptability and Value. The findings reveal a growing gap in AI adoption between senior leadership and frontline staff: while 72% of C-suite/VP executives use AI daily, only 18% of individual contributors (ICs) do the same.

With 77% of companies allowing AI but only 32% providing training, we're witnessing the birth of a new digital divide that's reshaping workplace power dynamics and exacerbating gender gaps in corporate America.

"Leaders need to develop clear and comprehensive AI policies that not only outline what's acceptable but also address the elephant in the room—the fear that using AI is somehow 'cheating,'" said Alan Whitaker, Head of AI at BambooHR. "When we communicate these policies clearly and transparently to all employees, we can help alleviate concerns, promote a culture of openness, and empower our teams to harness the full potential of AI."

A Workplace Hierarchy

AI usage isn't generational—it's hierarchical. Organizations that say they promote AI adoption are the same ones failing to train ICs, creating this invisible efficiency gap:

• Half (50%) of managers and more senior titles receive training compared to nearly one in four (23%) of ICs
• Men (60%) report using AI daily compared to 40% of women, raising questions about the potential barriers to or concerns around adoption for women
• Although 72% of employees express a desire to improve their AI skills, only 32% of employees have received formal AI training from their employer
• Compared to ICs, more than twice as many executives are creating efficiencies using AI to draft emails, create presentations, and more

Unfounded Fear of AI
The report shows employees seem to view using AI as cheating, despite AI use being widely permitted:

• 23% of ICs are evasive about when they've used AI, compared to only 6% of VP/C-suite executives
• Less than a third of people (30%) can accurately detect AI-written content
• 61% of VP/C-suite executives value employees who use AI more, compared to only 13% of ICs
• 80% of VP/C-suite rate AI-assisted work as high quality compared to 69% of managers/directors and 28% of ICs

"AI training isn't a nice-to-have, it's a must-have for organizations that want to stay ahead," said Brian Crofts, Chief Product Officer at BambooHR. "It's not just about using tools, it's about empowering every employee to think strategically about how AI can drive results and improve work life."

Access the full report and data visualizations at: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/data-at-work/data-stories/ai-usage-data-report 

Methodology
BambooHR conducted this research using an online survey prepared by Method Research and distributed by RepData among n=1,502 adults (age 18+) in the United States who are full-time salaried employees who currently work in a desk job position, and including a subgroup of n=502 HR professionals who have a manager title or above. The sample was equally split between genders, with a spread of age groups, race groups, and geographies represented. Data was collected from April 1 to April 15, 2025.

About BambooHR
BambooHR® is the leading HR software platform that sets people free to do great work. Intuitively designed and user-friendly HR, payroll, and benefits administration in one unified ecosystem means less focus on process and more on growing what matters most—people.

With AI-powered insights and comprehensive reporting, HR leaders gain the data they need to craft strategies to enhance employee engagement and retention while effectively measuring success. Trusted by HR professionals in over 34,000 companies across 190 countries and 50 industries, BambooHR supports millions of users throughout their employee journey.

SOURCE Bamboo HR LLC