1 in 3 Workers Are Using AI Regularly — Many in Surprising Ways

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have quickly become a regular part of many workers’ routines, but some of the ways employees use them during the workday may be unexpected.

In April, AI Resume Builder surveyed 2,945 full-time U.S. workers. Of those, 33% reported using AI for work-related tasks within the past month. These respondents completed the full survey, where we set out to uncover some of the more unique and surprising ways AI is being used on the job.

Key findings:

• 1 in 3 workers have used an AI tool in the past month for a work-related task
• Workers are using AI in unexpected ways to support their careers — such as for career coaching, preparing for difficult conversations, and even mental health support
• A majority of workers using AI say it’s improved their mental health, productivity, and overall performance
• 1 in 5 workers using AI say it has helped them get a raise or promotion

1 in 3 Workers Have Used AI in the Past Month

Overall, 33% of respondents say they have used AI tools for work-related tasks within the past month. Among this group, 71% say they primarily use ChatGPT, followed by Google Gemini (46%) and Microsoft Copilot (45%). Only 3% report using a different tool.

AI is being widely adopted across many day-to-day workplace functions. About 58% of workers use it to write emails, while 56% use it to brainstorm ideas, and another 56% to generate general content. Additionally, 53% use AI to summarize articles, transcripts, or documents, 49% to analyze data or create reports, and 38% to prepare meeting agendas or presentations. Workers are also using AI to draft resumes and cover letters.

“AI is becoming commonplace at companies because it is so accessible and user friendly,” says Soozy Miller, head of career advising at AI Resume Builder. “Companies can expect that their employees will use AI to make their work easier. However, the results (data reports, references, and creative content) should always be checked for accuracy and tone.”

However, workers aren’t just using AI for routine tasks. They’re also using it creatively to bolster their careers, which we will cover in the next section.

Workers Are Using AI for Career Coaching and Difficult Conversations

AI is also playing a growing role in supporting workers’ mental well-being and professional development. Nearly half of workers (47%) report using AI for goal setting, while 44% use it to talk through problems.

Additionally, 30% use AI to evaluate their job performance, 28% to better understand what a coworker or manager may have meant, and 27% for general mental health support. Some workers even use AI as a career coach or simply to vent frustrations.

Many employees are also turning to AI to help navigate difficult or high-stakes workplace conversations. A total of 45% say they’ve used AI to prepare for a performance review, while 35% have used it to prepare for a tough conversation with a manager or colleague. More than one in five (22%) use AI to prepare to ask for a promotion, and 21% to ask for a raise.

“Before dealing with tough situations, I use AI to filter through my thoughts,” says Peter Murphy Lewis, Founder of Strategic Pete. “I feed in the issue, the person, and my desired outcome. AI helps me organize my thoughts in a concise, targeted way, and it forces me to be tactical and not be driven by emotion. As a result, I’ve had more productive, more subdued conversations.”

“AI can be a great starter tool for generating ideas to solve a problem,” says Miller. “I have used it to write challenging emails and navigate difficult conversations.”

“I’ve used AI to ask for more money in partnerships,” says Musician and Founder of FreeJazzLessons.com Steve Nixon.  “I had a long-standing deal with a brand. I was delivering real results, but the contract stayed the same. I needed to ask for more, but I didn’t want to make it sound like I was complaining. I pulled all the data together, wrote a draft pitch, and then ran it through AI to help clean it up. I wanted it to read like something confident and clear, not emotional or scattered. I rewrote it with that help and sent it off. They got back to me quickly and agreed to the new rate. No awkwardness. No drawn-out negotiation.”

9 in 10 AI Users Say the Tool Has Made Them a Better Employee

About 60% of workers say using AI tools has significantly (26%) or somewhat (34%) improved their mental health during the workday. Nearly three-quarters (73%) also say it’s boosted their productivity. Additionally, 87% say AI has definitely (35%) or probably (52%) made them a better worker overall.

AI is delivering other measurable benefits as well: 41% say it has improved their confidence at work, 40% say it’s helped them evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, 37% use it to identify areas for professional growth, and another 37% to set personal development goals. Additionally, 27% say AI has helped them get a promotion or raise.

“People looking to be promoted and achieve their career goals want to demonstrate two things to the company: They understand the company’s needs, and they have results and impact that prove why they deserve the job,” says Miller. “AI is a great idea generator in this respect. It can give the employee a synopsis of what they need to prove these points.”

Methodology

This survey launched in April 2025, commissioned by AIResumeBuilder.com and conducted online by the polling platform Pollfish. Overall, 2,945 full-time U.S. workers were surveyed, and 1,000 respondents completed the full survey. Appropriate respondents were found via demographic criteria and screening questions.