Key Takeaways for Employers from KPMG’s 2025 Global Study
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is transforming workplaces and the very nature of work across all sectors and sizes of organisations. I’ve seen it being used in very different environments, from a small classic car restoration business to local authority departments. But, the embrace of AI is, to say the least, patchy. I have clients who were surprised to discover their employees are even using AI at all, and others who are looking to use it in every imaginable aspect of their work. AI has a role of some kind in all organisations; however, implementation hinges on trust—employees’ trust in AI and employers’ trust not just in the responsible deployment of AI but in their employees’ use of it.
In partnership with the University of Melbourne, KPMG published a significant global study, “Trust, Attitudes and Use of Artificial Intelligence: A Global Study 2025,” earlier this year, which offers some valuable insights for businesses and HR professionals.
KPMG say the report makes it clear that for businesses to realise the undoubted advantages afforded by AI use, leaders must prioritise: leadership, enhancing trust, driving AI literacy and strengthening internal governance.
If I have one single takeaway from the report, it is its reinforcement of my view that too many organisations are not showing sufficient workplace leadership on AI, leaving employees confused, unprepared and taking too many risks as they struggle and experiment with what AI means for them and their role.
Key Highlights from the Report:
- Global Variations in Trust: The study surveyed over 48,000 individuals from 47 countries, finding considerable differences in trust and acceptance of AI. Regional and sector attitudes vary based on cultural norms, privacy concerns, historical experiences with technology, and local regulatory frameworks. Employers must tailor their AI strategies to align with local expectations and regulations.
- Transparency and Communication: Transparency is crucial. Employees strongly prefer clear explanations about AI decision-making processes, especially in performance management, recruitment, and workplace monitoring.
- Ethics and Governance: Employees trust organisations more when they demonstrate ethical governance in AI usage. Clear ethical policies and oversight roles are deemed essential.
- Workforce Readiness and Training: Employee confidence in AI tools depends on training and support. Many employees regularly use AI at work, yet many receive minimal formal training. This leaves individuals directing their own learning and engaging in experimentation that carries risk and potential vulnerability issues – the report identifies that 66% of employees using AI do so without evaluating its accuracy and are making mistakes as a result. The importance of, planned, strategy driven, ongoing education in AI cannot be overstated.
- Employee Openness to AI Adoption: Employees are generally open to AI, especially when its practical benefits are clear. Openness declines if employees feel unsupported or inadequately informed.
- Hidden AI Usage: Reinfocing my own experience with clients, the report find a significant number of employees conceal their AI use due to fear of negative judgment, job insecurity, or unclear company policies, stressing the need for open dialogue and clear guidance.
Practical Takeaways – What you need to be doing now:
- Develop Transparent AI Policies: Clearly define and regularly communicate AI use within your organisation.
- Prioritise Ethical Practices: Implement clear ethical guidelines and oversight for responsible AI use.
- Invest in Training: Provide employees with regular training to build competence and confidence in AI technologies.
- Monitor and Address Concerns: Regularly collect employee feedback about AI and promptly address issues transparently.
- Encourage Openness: Create an environment where employees feel safe openly discussing AI use without fear of repercussions. Ensure managers and HR are supportive and informed.
- Set a Clear AI Strategy: Employees shouldn’t have to guess acceptable AI use. Managers must proactively establish clear AI strategies and policies guiding effective and responsible AI usage.
Conclusion:
As AI integration accelerates, trust becomes pivotal to realising its full potential. Employers who proactively address trust, transparency, and training will enhance productivity and foster a supportive and innovative workplace culture, better placed to compete in a rapidly changing business environment.
For further insights, you can access the full KPMG report here.
If your organisation needs support in developing AI policies or you want to discuss any other issues raised by this report, please contact me—I’m here to help.