Leaders Unaware of AI Use at Work, Illustrations by Debora Szpilman for HBR

IllustrationDebora Szpilman

Jun 12

Written By Dutch Uncle

Navigating the Unknown In an age where AI integration into business is growing, leaders must go beyond mere implementation to foster a significant cultural shift within their organizations.

At the core of this shift is trust— a vital element whether the AI deployment is minimal or extensive.

However, research from three Gallup studies in 2023 reveals a common issue: leaders are often in the dark about how their employees use AI.

Leadership Blind Spots The research, which includes surveys from over 80,000 chief HR officers and nearly 19,000 U.S. employees, indicates that a surprising 44% of leaders do not know how frequently their employees use AI.

This lack of awareness contributes to a dwindling trust, prompting leaders to impose stricter controls on AI usage rather than fostering an environment led by clear objectives.

Limited AI Engagement Among Employees

Despite the rapid advancement of AI technologies, the Gallup Quarterly Workforce Study found that seven out of ten U.S. employees never use AI in their jobs.

Only a small fraction, about 10%, use AI regularly, mainly for routine tasks or learning new things. This shows a significant gap between AI capabilities and their practical application in daily work routines.

The Trust Divide

The discrepancy between leaders' perceptions and the actual readiness of employees to use AI is stark. Only 16% of leaders believe their workforce is ready for AI, whereas nearly half of the employees feel confident in their ability to use AI effectively.

This mismatch highlights the need for leaders to better understand and support their teams' AI capabilities.

Cultural Shift Recommendations

To bridge the knowledge and trust gaps, the article suggests that leaders should:

Measure and Manage: Keep track of AI usage and effectiveness across the organization.
Empower Managers: Enable managers to better support their teams' AI-related needs.
Adopt a Purpose-Led Strategy: Align AI strategies with the organization's core mission, moving away from fear-driven, rules-heavy approaches.

There's a big difference between what leaders think about their employees' use of AI and the reality. If leaders work to close this gap, they can build more trust and make better use of AI to boost productivity and spark more innovation in their organizations.

Harvard Business ReviewIllustrationsDebora SzpilmanIllustration and AI

Dutch Uncle

Dutch Uncle is an award-winning international illustration and animation agency founded in 2006 by Helen Cowley. With offices in London, New York, and Tokyo, we operate across every major timezone, connecting the world's most ambitious brands with exceptional global creative talent.

Over nearly two decades, Dutch Uncle have built one of the most decorated artist rosters in the industry. Our artists have produced Gold Clio and Cannes Lions award-winning work for clients spanning fashion, luxury, fintech, tech, healthcare, and publishing. We have collaborated on prestige illustration and animation projects for global leaders, including Hermès, Burberry, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Rimowa, as well as Apple, Google, Mercedes, Netflix, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, The New York Times.

We represent illustrators and animation directors who lead their fields in conceptual thinking, visual intelligence, and craft. Artists whose work cuts through algorithmic sameness to deliver genuine cultural impact.

Beyond our core roster, we also draw on an international network of talent across five continents to meet the scale and complexity of any brief.

Dutch Uncle operates as a full-service creative production partner, managing everything from artist sourcing and briefing through to licensing, copyright, animation production, and final delivery.

We specialise in complex, multi-market projects that demand creative precision and seamless execution. Whether that is a single editorial commission, a suite of high-impact social media assets, or a global animated campaign.

For nearly twenty years, the world's leading agencies, publishers, cultural institutions, and brands have trusted us to bring their most ambitious work to life.

https://www.dutchuncle.co.uk

Leaders Unaware of AI Use at Work, Illustrations by Debora Szpilman for HBR

Navigating the Unknown In an age where AI integration into business is growing, leaders must go beyond mere implementation to foster a significant cultural shift within their organizations.

At the core of this shift is trust— a vital element whether the AI deployment is minimal or extensive.

However, research from three Gallup studies in 2023 reveals a common issue: leaders are often in the dark about how their employees use AI.

Leadership Blind Spots The research, which includes surveys from over 80,000 chief HR officers and nearly 19,000 U.S. employees, indicates that a surprising 44% of leaders do not know how frequently their employees use AI.

This lack of awareness contributes to a dwindling trust, prompting leaders to impose stricter controls on AI usage rather than fostering an environment led by clear objectives.

Limited AI Engagement Among Employees

Despite the rapid advancement of AI technologies, the Gallup Quarterly Workforce Study found that seven out of ten U.S. employees never use AI in their jobs.

Only a small fraction, about 10%, use AI regularly, mainly for routine tasks or learning new things. This shows a significant gap between AI capabilities and their practical application in daily work routines.

The Trust Divide

The discrepancy between leaders' perceptions and the actual readiness of employees to use AI is stark. Only 16% of leaders believe their workforce is ready for AI, whereas nearly half of the employees feel confident in their ability to use AI effectively.

This mismatch highlights the need for leaders to better understand and support their teams' AI capabilities.

Cultural Shift Recommendations

To bridge the knowledge and trust gaps, the article suggests that leaders should:

Measure and Manage: Keep track of AI usage and effectiveness across the organization.

Empower Managers: Enable managers to better support their teams' AI-related needs.

Adopt a Purpose-Led Strategy: Align AI strategies with the organization's core mission, moving away from fear-driven, rules-heavy approaches.

There's a big difference between what leaders think about their employees' use of AI and the reality. If leaders work to close this gap, they can build more trust and make better use of AI to boost productivity and spark more innovation in their organizations.

Follow Us — Instagram.com/agencydu

Office Locations

DUTCH UNCLE — NEW YORK

DUTCH UNCLE — LONDON

DUTCH UNCLE — TOKYO

© Dutch Uncle Agency 2026 All Rights Reserved

Leaders Unaware of AI Use at Work, Illustrations by Debora Szpilman for HBR

Navigating the Unknown In an age where AI integration into business is growing, leaders must go beyond mere implementation to foster a significant cultural shift within their organizations.

At the core of this shift is trust— a vital element whether the AI deployment is minimal or extensive.

However, research from three Gallup studies in 2023 reveals a common issue: leaders are often in the dark about how their employees use AI.

Leadership Blind Spots The research, which includes surveys from over 80,000 chief HR officers and nearly 19,000 U.S. employees, indicates that a surprising 44% of leaders do not know how frequently their employees use AI.

This lack of awareness contributes to a dwindling trust, prompting leaders to impose stricter controls on AI usage rather than fostering an environment led by clear objectives.

Limited AI Engagement Among Employees

Despite the rapid advancement of AI technologies, the Gallup Quarterly Workforce Study found that seven out of ten U.S. employees never use AI in their jobs.

Only a small fraction, about 10%, use AI regularly, mainly for routine tasks or learning new things. This shows a significant gap between AI capabilities and their practical application in daily work routines.

The Trust Divide

The discrepancy between leaders' perceptions and the actual readiness of employees to use AI is stark. Only 16% of leaders believe their workforce is ready for AI, whereas nearly half of the employees feel confident in their ability to use AI effectively.

This mismatch highlights the need for leaders to better understand and support their teams' AI capabilities.

Cultural Shift Recommendations

To bridge the knowledge and trust gaps, the article suggests that leaders should:

Measure and Manage: Keep track of AI usage and effectiveness across the organization.

Empower Managers: Enable managers to better support their teams' AI-related needs.

Adopt a Purpose-Led Strategy: Align AI strategies with the organization's core mission, moving away from fear-driven, rules-heavy approaches.

There's a big difference between what leaders think about their employees' use of AI and the reality. If leaders work to close this gap, they can build more trust and make better use of AI to boost productivity and spark more innovation in their organizations.

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Follow Us — Instagram.com/agencydu

Office Locations

DUTCH UNCLE — NEW YORK

DUTCH UNCLE — LONDON

DUTCH UNCLE — TOKYO

© Dutch Uncle Agency 2026 All Rights Reserved