After experimental programs in the country demonstrated that workers could save over 120 hours annually by utilizing AI in administrative tasks, Google has stated that Britain could generate £400 billion ($533 billion) in economic development through the training of its workforce.

Google stated in a report on its pilot programs, which was published on Friday, May 2, that the adoption of the new technology could be doubled and economic development could be boosted by taking simple steps, such as granting workers permission to use AI and providing them with a few hours of training to get them started.

The Gemini AI chatbot was developed by the US tech behemoth, which stated that two-thirds of employees, particularly elderly women from lesser socio-economic backgrounds, had never used generative AI at work, according to an analysis conducted by Public First, its program partner.

Debbie Weinstein, the president of Google’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, stated that the AI Works experiments, which were conducted in a small business network, educational foundations, and a union, demonstrated that workers could save an average of 122 hours per year by utilizing AI in administrative tasks.

However, a concern that the use of AI in their occupation was not legitimate or equitable served as a deterrent for some individuals from taking a tentative step into the unknown.

Weinstein stated in an interview that individuals desired “permission to prompt.” “Is it permissible for me to be engaging in this activity?” Therefore, it was crucial to provide them with that assurance.

She stated that they began using the technology twice as frequently after undergoing a few hours of AI training to increase their confidence. They continued to use it for several months after the training.

Google stated in its AI Works report that these straightforward interventions contributed to the reduction of the AI adoption divide among the pilot study participants.

For instance, only 17% of women aged 55 and older in its cohorts utilized AI on a weekly basis, and only 9% did so on a daily basis prior to training.
Three months later, 56% of individuals were utilizing it on a weekly basis, while 29% had established it as a daily routine.