AgenciesMore than half of global employees (51%) believe that artificial intelligence (AI) could one day make physical offices unnecessary, according to a new report by IT company GoTo. The report called ‘The Pulse of Work in 2025’ is based on a survey of 2,500 employees and IT leaders around the world, conducted with research firm Workplace Intelligence.
Sixty-two percent of employees said they would rather work remotely using AI tools than return to a physical office. However, not everyone agrees since some roles and industries still need in-person work.
Most workers, including those who currently go to the office, feel AI could bring more freedom. Seventy-one percent believe it would improve their work-life balance, 66% say it would let them work from anywhere without affecting productivity, and 65% think it would help them support customers better while working remotely.
“AI is rapidly evolving from a helpful tool to a foundational force shaping the future of work,” said Rich Veldran, CEO of GoTo. “As these technologies mature, they’re breaking down barriers to more flexible ways of working while enhancing in-person collaboration where it’s most impactful.”
Also Read: ET Soonicorns Summit 2025: AI will impact low-skilled workers, experts say
AI impact on IT sector
IT leaders are even more positive about AI's impact. Nine out of 10 say remote working has improved their teams’ performance. Across the board, nearly all employees (95%) and IT leaders (92%) support their company’s AI investments or think more investment is needed.
However, there’s a clear gap between leadership and staff: while 91% of IT leaders feel their company is using AI well to support remote and hybrid work, only 53% of employees feel the same. This suggests a disconnect that companies need to address.
Eighty-eight percent of IT leaders also believe AI can help ensure all remote employees have equal access to tools and support. The report said that the best AI tools not only help with remote support but also meet the security needs of today’s remote workforce.
“The companies that embrace AI not just as a tool, but as a core part of their employee experience, will be the ones that redefine what it means to be productive, connected, and collaborative wherever work happens,” Veldran said.
How different age groups feel about AI
Younger employees are leading the way in using AI to boost productivity. A huge 90% of Gen Z and 84% of millennials say it helps them work better remotely. But older generations are benefiting too: 71% of Gen X and 74% of Baby Boomers say AI has improved their productivity.
Despite these gains, most workers across all age groups admit they’re not using AI to its full potential. This is the highest among Baby Boomers, with 92% saying they could be doing more with AI, compared to 78% of Gen Z.
Also Read: Indian AI talent and founders need to ‘wake up’: Google DeepMind’s Manish Gupta
Sixty-two percent of employees said they would rather work remotely using AI tools than return to a physical office. However, not everyone agrees since some roles and industries still need in-person work.
Most workers, including those who currently go to the office, feel AI could bring more freedom. Seventy-one percent believe it would improve their work-life balance, 66% say it would let them work from anywhere without affecting productivity, and 65% think it would help them support customers better while working remotely.
“AI is rapidly evolving from a helpful tool to a foundational force shaping the future of work,” said Rich Veldran, CEO of GoTo. “As these technologies mature, they’re breaking down barriers to more flexible ways of working while enhancing in-person collaboration where it’s most impactful.”
Also Read: ET Soonicorns Summit 2025: AI will impact low-skilled workers, experts say
AI impact on IT sector
IT leaders are even more positive about AI's impact. Nine out of 10 say remote working has improved their teams’ performance. Across the board, nearly all employees (95%) and IT leaders (92%) support their company’s AI investments or think more investment is needed.
However, there’s a clear gap between leadership and staff: while 91% of IT leaders feel their company is using AI well to support remote and hybrid work, only 53% of employees feel the same. This suggests a disconnect that companies need to address.
Eighty-eight percent of IT leaders also believe AI can help ensure all remote employees have equal access to tools and support. The report said that the best AI tools not only help with remote support but also meet the security needs of today’s remote workforce.
“The companies that embrace AI not just as a tool, but as a core part of their employee experience, will be the ones that redefine what it means to be productive, connected, and collaborative wherever work happens,” Veldran said.
How different age groups feel about AI
Younger employees are leading the way in using AI to boost productivity. A huge 90% of Gen Z and 84% of millennials say it helps them work better remotely. But older generations are benefiting too: 71% of Gen X and 74% of Baby Boomers say AI has improved their productivity.
Despite these gains, most workers across all age groups admit they’re not using AI to its full potential. This is the highest among Baby Boomers, with 92% saying they could be doing more with AI, compared to 78% of Gen Z.
Also Read: Indian AI talent and founders need to ‘wake up’: Google DeepMind’s Manish Gupta
