In just the past year, artificial intelligence has evolved at an astonishing pace. Tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Claude have gone from curiosities to critical assets for millions of professionals. Generative AI has grown smarter, more accessible, and far more versatile. From writing content and coding to generating data insights and streamlining workflows, AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s a daily reality.
AI Is Entering the Everyday Workflow
AI tools are rapidly becoming integrated into the fabric of modern work. Platforms like Notion, Canva, Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace now offer built-in AI features that support creativity, organization, and productivity. Meanwhile, specialized tools for marketers, designers, writers, and project managers are appearing almost weekly, giving professionals more ways than ever to work faster and smarter.
How AI Makes Work Easier: What the Harvard Study Revealed
In 2024, researchers at Harvard Business School partnered with Procter & Gamble to understand how generative AI affects the way individuals and teams tackle complex problems. In the study "The Cybernetic Teammate: A FieldExperiment on Generative AIReshaping Teamwork and Expertise" they tested four work modes: individuals without AI, teams without AI, individuals with AI, and teams with AI.
The results were striking.
Individuals using AI completed their tasks 16 percent faster than those working without it, while teams supported by AI were 13 percent more efficient. Even more notably, people working alone with AI reached the same decision quality as teams without AI, suggesting that AI can help bridge collaboration gaps and elevate individual performance.
The presence of AI also improved the quality of decisions. Participants created more balanced solutions that considered both commercial and technical perspectives, regardless of their background. Teams using AI were more likely to achieve top results, landing in the top 10 percent of outcomes overall.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the study found that AI had a positive emotional impact. Participants who used AI tools were more likely to report feelings of energy, enthusiasm, and confidence during their work.
This research shows that AI is not just a tool for increasing productivity—it’s becoming a powerful teammate that supports quality, collaboration, and even emotional wellbeing.
The Human Factor: Navigating Hesitation, Fear, and Uncertainty
Even with all the progress AI has made, many people still feel uncertain about where they fit into this fast-changing landscape. For some, AI feels like a threat to their job. For others, it’s simply overwhelming — full of tools they don’t understand and questions they’re not sure how to answer:
How do I use these tools? Which ones actually help? What if I get it wrong?
These are valid concerns — and they’re widespread. According to a 2024 Gartner report:
• 42% of employees feel anxious about using AI at work due to fear of making mistakes
• 61% say they lack the training to use AI tools confidently
Meanwhile, a McKinsey study found that while 79% of organizations report exploring or piloting AI tools, only 23% of employees say they actively use AI in their daily tasks.
The gap between AI’s potential and people’s confidence is still wide — but the good news is, you don’t have to navigate it alone. With the right guidance and support, you can move from hesitation to confident action with clarity and impact.
Meet the Voice Behind WHY AI: Empowering Smarter Work with AI
Antanas Bernatonis, founder of the artificial intelligence agency WHY AI, an AI trainer who helps companies to apply AI tools in their processes put this way: “Artificial intelligence won’t replace people – it will replace those who don’t use it.”
WHY AI is the platform dedicated to helping individuals and businesses across Europe understand and harness the power of AI. Through workshops, educational content, and consulting, WHY AI supports professionals who want to integrate AI tools responsibly and effectively into their work.
A leading voice in Lithuania’s growing tech ecosystem, Bernatonis regularly speaks on the ethical, strategic, and economic implications of AI adoption. His mission is simple: to demystify AI and make it accessible to everyone — not just tech experts.
And his message is urgent. As AI becomes central to everyday tasks — from writing and research to design, data analysis, and decision-making — digital fluency is fast becoming a basic professional skill. In this landscape, standing still means falling behind.
Don’t Watch the Future — Shape It
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant promise; it’s an active force reshaping how we think, work, and collaborate. As research, real-world tools, and voices like Antanas Bernatonis show, AI is not here to replace you — it’s here to work with you. The choice is no longer if you will use AI, but how you’ll make it work for you.
Yes, the learning curve can feel steep. Yes, the uncertainty is real. But the cost of inaction is far greater than the risk of starting. Whether you're a marketer, designer, manager, or entrepreneur, embracing AI today means building resilience, creativity, and relevance for tomorrow.
The future of work isn't automated — it’s augmented. And it’s waiting for you to step in.
