AI in the workplace: curiosity vs reality

AI has dominated our headlines, channels & workplace for the past 18 months, but how are organisations actually using it - or are they at all?

To find out, we asked our  LinkedIn community: “How are you currently using AI in your work?”  The results showed a clear gap between AI curiosity and real adoption.

At first glance, almost half of professionals are experimenting with AI - but mostly in low-risk, task-based areas. Only one-third are embedding it into business-critical workflows.

What this tells us

1. Curiosity is high, but depth of adoption is low
The majority are dipping their toes in - using AI for efficiency gains (admin, content drafts, scheduling) - but stopping short of transformation.

2. Early adopters are pulling ahead
The one-third who are embedding AI into workflows are starting to unlock strategic benefits – better data analysis, faster decision-making, or new candidate engagement models.

3. A cautious wait-and-see still exists
14% are exploring without action, showing many leaders want to understand risks (cost, bias, accuracy) before committing.

“Around 80% of AI projects are failing. Not because of the technology itself, but because of people, processes, and overly cautious behaviours.”

- Alex Davies, Executive Consultant, Technology, Six Degrees Executive

Why this matters for the job market

For clients and candidates alike, these results reflect a wider truth - AI is not replacing people – it’s actually doing quiet the opposite, and shifting the focus to where human value really counts.

For leaders, AI may speed up parts of the hiring process (the admin like tasks), but trusted advice, candidate assessment, and long-term partnerships remain human-led.

AI cannot and will not replicate human connection, nor read between the lines of a CV or make character assessments - which is key to finding the right hire.

For candidates, while AI can enhance applications, recruiters still value authenticity, relationships, and cultural fit – all things AI can’t properly measure.

What's the balance?

The data shows most professionals are curious about AI – but only some are living the reality of full integration. The opportunity lies in moving beyond small tasks and asking: How can AI free me to do more of the work that really matters?

"AI is accelerating at a rapid rate and will be a gamechanger in terms of driving productivity and efficiency, but at the same time it will add to the importance of human skills.

At Six Degrees we are constantly looking at how can we get automation or AI to take away our more manual processes, to free up time for collaboration, creativity and building strong relationships. The more we can reduce the time our consultants spend on tasks such as writing up notes, and increase the time spent on quality conversations and face-to-face interactions, the more successful we will be and the more value we will add to our stakeholders."

- Luke Howes, CFO, Six Degrees Executive

AI adoption will look different in every industry, but one thing is certain – those who find the right balance between curiosity and practical integration will be the ones to thrive.

If you would like tailored insights on how this impacts hiring in your sector, reach out to our team below.