Poll uncovers how new and aspiring leaders deepen their impact with AI

Snapshot: The next generation of leaders uses AI to improve efficiency and as a catalyst to help grow their careers. We recently commissioned The Harris Poll to help us explore how rising leaders are embracing AI at work. The survey focused on US-based knowledge workers between the ages of 22 and 39 who currently have or aspire to hold a leadership position. The findings are clear — new and aspiring leaders are adopting AI to increase their impact at work.

The future of work is here — and it’s AI powered 

For years, AI features in Google Workspace have helped people improve grammar, efficiency, security, and more with features like Smart Reply, Smart Compose, and malware and phishing protections in Gmail. Now, Gemini for Google Workspace brings generative AI across the entire solution — from Drive to Meet — to help teams of all sizes work smarter. Every day, Gemini helps our customers get more done in less time, whether it’s the Advancement and Partnership team at Understood.org saving up to 2 hours a day on writing and research, or the customer support team at California-based retailer Sports Basement reducing the time to respond to support requests by 30-35%.

Since launching Gemini, we’ve heard from people and organizations around the world about how they use gen AI in unique ways to save time and truly change the way they work. The latest poll confirms the breadth of AI adoption as well as perceptions of its longer term promise:

• 82% of those surveyed already use AI tools in their work.

• 98% of those surveyed anticipate that AI will have an impact on their industry or workplace within the next 5 years.

• 93% of young leaders who identify as Gen Z and 79% who identify as millennials use two or more tools on a weekly basis.

And for those who’ve embraced AI, they’re excited to share what they’re learning. Our survey found that over 50% of AI users regularly share their experiences and insights with colleagues, and 75% of them have suggested gen AI tools to their peers.

AI gives young leaders the boost they need at work

The survey also found that people use AI to jumpstart or refine their communications. For example, 70% of survey respondents have used AI to draft email responses, write challenging emails from scratch, or to help them overcome language barriers.

Other key findings:

• Overcome task paralysis: 88% say they use AI to start a task that feels overwhelming. 

• Improve writing: 88% agree that AI can help them strike the right tone in their writing. 

• More flexibility: 87% of respondents believe that AI can make them more comfortable composing lengthy emails on their phone, while 90% also believe they would feel more confident joining meetings on-the-go if they knew AI was taking meeting notes for them.
  

All of this data shows that the benefits of generative AI aren’t theoretical — they’re already having a tangible impact on productivity, communication, and the flexibility to work efficiently from anywhere.

How AI can foster leadership and deepen impact

The data also shows how AI can help build and scale business-critical soft skills, such as the ability to collaborate with others, communicate effectively, lead a team, and more. It not only helps people get work done faster and more efficiently, it also changes how they work in meaningful ways. 

Key findings include: 

• Improve management capabilities: 86% believe that AI can help current leaders become better managers, while 79% are interested in using AI to become a better manager. 

• Bigger impact: 50% recognize the current and potential impact of AI on automating routine tasks to free up their time to focus on more strategic work. 

• Enhance communication: 47% say AI can help enhance communication to improve problem solving and facilitate better relationships. AI can help enhance cross-team communication, ensuring teams stay coordinated. With hybrid work, enabling strong communication is more important than ever. 

Defining a new way of working for rising leaders

Our respondents represent a sample of the first generation of workers with access to these tools early in their careers, giving them the opportunity to help define a new way of working and leadership. The survey reveals how rising leaders are using AI not only to streamline work, but as a catalyst to help them grow their own careers. This will undoubtedly have a ripple effect on organizations around the world, as their new and aspiring leaders carve out more time for strategic, higher value tasks.

Learn more about Gemini for Google Workspace and how it can help your organization empower its workforce and shape the AI-powered future of work.