Nearly half of workers exaggerate their AI skills to bosses

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:28 · Archive

Almost half of employees admit to exaggerating their AI usage or expertise to colleagues and managers.

A new report by Visier has found that as many as 48% of employees admit to exaggerating their usage or expertise with AI to colleagues or managers some or most of the time. The survey also revealed that 45% of workers feel pressured to use AI at work, despite widespread uncertainty about how to do so effectively.

More than half of employees surveyed (54%) say AI has significantly changed their roles over the past two years. Yet many lack support from their employers: one-third admit their employer has no clear plan for AI adoption, and more than a quarter are unsure whether their employer even has an AI strategy. Only one-fifth would strongly agree that their employer provides sufficient training and support.

The survey highlights a gap between the technology's prevalence and workers' preparedness. Only one-third of employees believe their leaders understand how much AI training and support they need. When asked what they want most, workers prioritise upskilling opportunities (32%), followed by greater transparency about AI (31%).

Workers are also concerned about the technology's impact on job security. One in four employees identified job loss as their biggest worry about AI, whilst 24% are calling for more career advancement opportunities and 18% want clearer communication about how AI could affect their roles.

Dr Andrea Derler, Research and Customer Value Principal at Visier, noted that the findings suggest workers want engagement with AI rather than avoidance. "People told us that they actually want to be equipped and informed, not shielded or protected from AI-driven change," she explained. The data suggests that without proper training and transparent communication from employers, workers may continue to exaggerate their AI capabilities to keep up with workplace expectations.

How it is being reported

• Is it OK for jobseekers or employers to use AI?Graduates are increasingly using AI to misrepresent themselves in job applications, research suggests. But some say their peer group has no choice.BBC Technology · 14 Oct, 00:04
• Use of AI in job interviews on the rise – but UK recruiters say they can spot the cheatsBody representing some of Britain’s biggest graduate employers reveals misconduct is at a record high It is obvious when someone is using AI to drum up answers in a job interview, according to Chris Morrow, who runs a recruitment agency in Manchester. “It’s like they are reading off an Autocue,” he said. Continue reading...The Guardian · 14 Oct, 00:01
• Employees are faking using AI at work to impress their bossesHalf of workers have lied about their AI usage or expertise, with the biggest concern that they'll lose their jobs to it.TechRadar · 12 Oct, 12:25

In this story: Visier · Institute of Student Employers

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem