Why Workers Use AI Less Often: Reasons for Declining Workplace AI Use in Germany

Abstract

This short report summarizes recent findings on the extent and the change in the professional use of artificial intelligence (AI) among workers in Germany. It is based on a quota-based online survey of 2,585 workers, conducted from 29 April 2026 to 11 May 2026. The focus is on how professional AI use has changed over the past three months, what reasons are cited for reduced use, and how an increase or decrease is related to individual and organizational characteristics. The majority report that their use has remained unchanged. Overall, increases predominate, while a decrease affects only a small proportion of the workforce. A decline in usage is associated with a more critical attitude toward AI, lower perceived competence and organizational support, as well as a perceived lack of added value, unreliable results, and data privacy concerns. At the same time, social differences are evident: higher-skilled workers are more likely to increase their usage, while lower-skilled workers are comparatively more likely to reduce it. This raises the question of whether AI reduces or exacerbates existing inequalities in the workplace.

Marco Lünich

Social Scientist

My research interests include the public perception of Digital Media, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence.