AI Boosts Workload as Connections Strengthen

LOWELL, Mass., Oct. 13, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Jabra Research Institute today released the findings of WorkLife 2026: The New Shape of Work, a global study examining how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the daily workday. The study, based on a survey of more than 6,000 knowledge workers across six countries, France, Germany, India, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, revealed that AI is not only increasing the amount of work employees are doing but also fostering stronger connections within teams.

The study found that as AI becomes more integrated into work, employees are spending more time on various tasks. Strategic planning and analysis saw the largest increase, with 51% of workers reporting they spend more time on these activities than they did a year ago. Creative work increased by 50%, and administrative tasks rose by 49%. Despite these increases, employees are collaborating more frequently, with 42% stating they collaborate more than they did a year ago, compared to just 13% who collaborate less.

The research also highlighted a paradox: while AI is expected to save time, employees are actually spending more time on tasks. This is due to AI's ability to handle more individual tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-level, more human-centric activities such as problem-solving and decision-making. Interestingly, meetings are becoming more important as a space for tasks that still require human input, with 40% of employees spending most of their meeting time on problem-solving and 39% on decision-making.

The study also revealed significant disparities in how AI is impacting different groups of workers. About 32% of employees reported that their work has changed little or not at all over the past year, indicating low levels of satisfaction, preparedness, and career optimism. In contrast, "AI Superusers," who have integrated AI into their everyday work and have strong support from their organizations, reported the highest levels of satisfaction, preparedness, and career optimism. These superusers represent about 15% of the workforce, with 18% of non-managerial employees and 47% of senior leaders reporting significant changes in their work.

Moreover, the study found that managers play a crucial role in how employees use and adapt to AI. Employees with an AI-capable manager are 2.4 times more likely to use AI daily, with 65% doing so compared to 27% of employees without such support. However, only half of workers describe their manager as capable of supporting them with AI. Those with an AI-capable manager also rate their career optimism at an average of 8.3 out of 10, compared to 5.5 among those without such support.

The findings suggest that access to AI is only one piece of the equation. How employees are supported when using AI may be just as important as the technology itself. Training for AI use varies widely, with 64% of non-managerial employees having received no AI training or only a brief introduction, compared to 26% of senior leaders. Even when training is available, its relevance to employees' roles varies; just 39% of non-managers who received training say it was very or extremely relevant to their role, compared to 76% of senior leaders.

The study also highlighted that the impact of AI extends beyond how often employees use the technology. Senior leaders are more likely to be heavy AI users, with 30% of senior leaders claiming they are heavy AI users, compared to 8% of employees without management responsibilities. Meanwhile, 40% of non-managerial employees use AI only monthly or less compared to 14% of top management.

The Jabra Research Institute's study, which was conducted by Toluna, challenges the assumption that more AI use means employees are spending less time collaborating. Instead, frequent AI use is linked to more interaction with colleagues and a stronger sense of connection within teams. These findings suggest that as AI becomes more embedded in work, it is not only broadening the scope of tasks but also deepening the connections within teams.

Jabra, a global leader in professional audio and video solutions, President Calum MacDougall emphasized the importance of leaders listening and engaging with their teams to fully understand what they need to work with AI productively.

The study also revealed that workers are starting to use AI more effectively, moving beyond typed prompts to voice interactions. Workers who regularly speak to AI are 24% less likely to associate work with stress and 23% less likely to report exhaustion. They are also 37% more likely to say their job feels secure compared to those who primarily type. Voice users also report greater career optimism and feel better prepared for the future of work.