A new survey conducted by Hoover research fellow Oliver Giesecke finds that 25% of civil servants are already using generative AI in the course of their work, and 16% are using generative AI at least weekly. Gen AI adoption is expected to grow rapidly, with 44% potentially using AI tools over the next year.

Key Findings include:

Adoption Patterns:

Higher education staff leads adoption (71%), followed by faculty (60%). Roles such as judiciary, social workers, and law enforcement have a very low-end use (13% to 0%). Adoption is being led by advanced degree holders, higher-income labor, and senior-level roles.

Productivity Gains:

While 44% of users save two hours or less with AI, 7% say they save more than two hours a day. 70% say AI improves the quality of their work.

Future Outlook:

41% are hopeful about AI’s effect over the subsequent five years, while non-adopters remain highly doubtful.

Concerns and Challenges:

Some major concerns are inaccuracy, security, data privacy, and transparency. Only 9% of organizations have formal AI policies; 51% are not sure whether any exist.

Training and preparedness:

Over 70% received AI training, including 71% who said it was effective. Untrained workers show interest in learning AI tools, 49% of them.

The report highlights the importance of comprehensive policies and workforce training to unlock AI’s promise while minimizing risks.