British workers spend an estimated £958 million each year out of pocket on AI genetic tools for work, according to a Deloitte UK of 25,000 people. Of those who use these tools, 17% pay for at least one of them themselves. This spending is part of a larger trend that employers are not fully aware of. Around 63% of working adults in the UK aged 18 to 70 are consciously using AI genetic tools at work, and almost a quarter use them every day.
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Most use free tools (46%), while 34% use tools paid for by their employer and 17% use internal tools.
The use of AI-powered tools has grown significantly in recent years as workers look for ways to increase their productivity and improve their performance. These tools allow for the automation of many everyday tasks, such as composing emails and searching for information, which is reported by 43% of users. Additionally, document summarization is another common use, with 31% of users reporting it.
Users estimate that these tools save them about 70 minutes per week on average, although the survey did not measure this directly.
Much of this use goes unnoticed. Nearly a third (31%) of users say they use AI tools without their employer knowing, a practice often called “shadow AI.” Nearly a quarter (23%) feel there is a stigma around using them at work, and among weekly users, 64% worry that their manager might think AI can replace them.
Hayley McKelvey, head of AI at Deloitte UK, said the figures show that employees “don’t want to wait for permission”, so many are using free tools or paying for premium versions on their own. She added that those who feel stigmatised are more likely to hide their use, and leaders need to help staff “use AI responsibly, with a clearly articulated and well-understood purpose”.
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Employers are not providing enough support. About half of employees using AI tools have not received any formal training on safe use, and 65% say that their leadership has provided them with little guidance. This lack of training and guidance can lead to insecurity and fear among employees, as they are unsure of how to use these tools safely and effectively.
Paul Lee, head of industry analysis at Deloitte UK, argued that companies would benefit more if they did more than just provide access and instead taught people how to use the tools with clear rules and a clear purpose. Training and guidance can help employees feel more comfortable and confident in using AI tools, reducing stigma and increasing productivity.
Corporate budgets paint a smaller picture, at least in the U.S., where the average employer spends about $11 per employee each month on AI, according to data from fintech firm Ramp. This suggests that companies are not investing enough in training and supporting their employees to use AI tools, which may limit the benefits they can reap from the technology.
Ipsos UK conducted the survey online from 7 May to 10 June 2026, using age, gender, employment status, industry and region quotas, and adjusting the results to match the offline population. This methodology ensures that the results are representative and reliable, providing a clear picture of the use of AI genetic tools in the UK.
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Overall, the use of AI genetic tools is growing, but employers need to do more to support their employees. Training and coaching are critical to ensuring that employees can use these tools safely and effectively, reducing stigma and increasing productivity. Companies that invest in training their employees will be better positioned to harness the benefits of AI technology, improving their performance and competitiveness in the marketplace.
